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el_greco

From F1-OPT to Green card through marriage - attorney needed?

By el_greco in Adjustment of Status from Work, Student, & Tourist Visas

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el_greco Contributor

el_greco   20

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Greece
 Timeline
Posted

Hello everyone! Such an amazing forum, great wealth of information.

I've been in the US for 7 years already (F1 visa for PhD, currently working under OPT which expires June 2017, can apply for extension if needed)

I am getting married to my (same sex, if it makes a difference) partner of 2.5 years tomorrow, and I have started looking into the procedure of filing for AOS to permanent resident (Green card). The process looks fairly straightforward (I've been living together with my partner for 2+ years with documents to prove it), but I don't know whether I really need an immigration attorney. From what I have seen, it can be an additional $2k+ fee on top of the USCIS fees for the I-485 and I-130 documents. I am getting stressed about having to get a lawyer, especially if it's not really needed.

Also, my partner and I do have a lease together and utility bills in both of our names, but not really any joint accounts - he's an authorized user in a credit card of mine, and I'm an authorized user in a credit card of his. Is this enough information to justify a bona fide relationship?

F-1 visa and Post-Completion OPT

2008: Applied for F-1 visa

06/2009: F-1 visa interview@ US Embassy Athens, Greece - granted for 60 months

08/08/2009: Moved to the US for grad school

07/2014: Moved in with same-sex USC partner!

05/2016: Got EAD card in the mail (Post Completion OPT)

05/21/2016: PhD graduation: (renewed) F-1 visa expired (D/S) - EAD expiration date: 06/05/2017

06/06/2016: Started work as F-1 post-completion OPT

11/15/2016: Wedding day!

AOS from F-1 to LPR

Day -05 - 01/23/2017: Mailed AOS Package (I-485, I-693, I-130, I-131, I-864, I-765) to Chicago Lockbox

Day 00 - 01/28/2017: USPS Delivery confirmation

Day 08 - 02/05/2017: Email/Text NOA1, Checks cashed, MyUSCIS case numbers work

Day 28 - 02/25/2017: NOA1 for Biometrics Appointment (for 03/08/2017 in Austin, TX)

Day 39 - 03/08/2017: Biometrics Appointment

Day 90 - 04/24/2017: I-765 & I-131 Approval! (Email/Text for I-765 only)

Day 94 - 04/28/2017: Reception of I-797 NOA in the mail for I-765 & I-131 Approval; EAD/AP in the mail.

Day 99 - 05/03/2017: Received EAD/AP card

Day 255 - 10/06/2017: Reception of I-797 NOA in the mail for I-485 Interview. Scheduled for 11/07/2017 in San Antonio, TX

Day 283 - 11/07/2017: I-485 Interview in San Antonio, TX: Recommended for Approval. Waiting for Notification of Approval and Green Card in the mail.

Day 284 - 11/08/2017: MyUSCIS Case switched to "Approved"

Day 289 - 11/13/2017: Reception of I-797 NOA in the mail for approved I-485 and I-130

Day 290 - 11/14/2017: USPS notified me of package shipment from USCIS in Corbin, KY. Intercepted and redirected to post office for pick up due to imminent address change

Day 293 - 11/17/2017: Picked up I-551 (Green Card: CR6) from Post Office. -- Window for ROC opens August 9 2019; Can file N-400 for Naturalization August 9 2020 (Early filing, 3 years - 90 days)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ROC journey

Day -04 - 08/08/2019: Mailed ROC Package (I-751 & supporting material)

Day 00 - 08/12/2019: USPS Delivery Confirmation & Email/Text NOA, MyUSCIS case number assignment; quoted 15-18 months

Day 109 - 11/29/2019: Biometrics Appointment in Austin, TX Application Support Center

Day 273 - 05/11/2020: I-751 Approval, New card in the mail

Day 278 - 05/16/2020: Received new Green Card (IR6) with expiration data in 2030

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The final stretch - path to Naturalization

Day 00 - 08/09/2020: Early filing window opens; Filed N-400 form online at my.uscis.gov

Day 05 - 08/14/2020: Received NOA1 in the mail
Day 85 - 11/02/2020: Biometrics Reuse Notice at my.uscis.gov

Day 95 - 11/12/2020: Received e-mail notification & egov.uscis.gov update that case status was updated to "Testing and Interview"; Interview was scheduled for 12/31/2020 in San Antonio, awaiting notification letter in the mail.

Day 145 - 12/31/2020: N-400 Interview in San Antonio, TX. Recommended for Approval. Waiting for Oath Ceremony notice in the mail.

Day 160 - 01/15/2021: Oath Ceremony Notice was mailed, PDF copy appeared on my.uscis.gov 01/19; Ceremony scheduled for 01/29/2021 in San Antonio, TX

Day 174 - 01/29/2021: Oath Ceremony, received Naturalization Certificate, registered to vote in Texas

controlla Explorer

controlla   104

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Timeline
Posted

No, you don't need a lawyer. You should work on opening a joint bank account.

AOS FROM - F1 OPT                                                                                                                                             ROC
Day 00 - Jun-08-2016 - AOS Package Delivered [Chicago Lockbox]                                                          Day 00 - Mar-12-2018 - ROC Package Delivered [California Service Center] 

Day 13 - Jun-21-2016 - Hardcopy NOA  for I-485, I-130, I-765                                                                   Day 09 - Mar-21-2018- Check Cashed                                                                   

Day 17 - Jun-25-2016 - Biometrics Letter [Appointment July 5]                                                                 Day 11 - Mar-23-2018-Received NOA Letter

Day 50 - Jul-28-2016 -  Case Is Ready To Be Scheduled for an Interview                                                 Day 68 - May-18-2018 - Received Biometrics WAIVER Letter

Day 61 - Aug-08-2016 - AOS Interview Letter [interview Date Sept 7]                                                       Day 159 -Aug-17-2018 - Received 18 Month Extension Letter

Day 71 - Aug-17-2016 - Interview Cancellation Letter [unforeseen Circumstances]                              Day 406-Apr-22-2019 - New Card Is Being Produced

Day 79 - Aug-25-2016 - New AOS Interview Letter [New Interview Date Sept 27]                                   Day 410-Apr26-2019 - Received ROC Approval Letter

Day 85 - Aug-31-2016 - Received EAD Card                                                                                                    Day 414- Apr-30-2019 - Received 10-year Green Card :dance:

Day 112 -Sep-27-2016 - AOS Interview [Case Status: New Card Is Being Produced]                              N400   5-yr-based                      

Day 118 -Oct-03-2016 -  Received AOS Approval Letter                                                                               Day 00 - Mar-12-2021- Submitted N400 Application online

Day 121 -Oct-06-2016 - Received Conditional Green Card [ROC opens ~ Mar 10, 2018]                       Day 322 - Jan-28-2022- N400 Interview Scheduled

                                                                                                                                                                                  Day 353 - Feb-26-2022- Interviewed. Approved. Same Day Oath 🇺🇸

 
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