AOS March 2016 filers/Part 2

[kbrookeq 7]

On 1/20/2017 at 7:01 AM, Linyahui said:

 

How did your interview go, kbrookeq?

I had a whole thing about our interview on Friday and it apparently never got posted. 

 

Our appt was scheduled for 8:15 am. After going through the metal detectors, security and checking in, we were sitting in the waiting room by 8:00 am. 

 

We finally got called at 8:45 am. She apologized that she was running late, got us situated and jumped right in. She never separated us and just ran through the standard questions that are on the initial application. She could tell my husband was nervous and told him not to worry because she had no reason not to approve him. She then informed us that she wasn't going to ask us for relationship proof, as we had submitted plenty with our initial application. Apparently our only hold up was the fact that they had been waiting on our I-130 approval to come back from the embassy that it had originally been sent to (we filed it a year earlier for other reasons) and she had finally received it. 

 

She printed my husband a welcome letter and we were out of there by 9:20 am. 

 

The only thing that hasn't happened yet is for our online status to update to approved. 

 

Good luck to everyone with upcoming interviews!!

[Linyahui 103]

15 hours ago, kbrookeq said:

I had a whole thing about our interview on Friday and it apparently never got posted. 

 

Our appt was scheduled for 8:15 am. After going through the metal detectors, security and checking in, we were sitting in the waiting room by 8:00 am. 

 

We finally got called at 8:45 am. She apologized that she was running late, got us situated and jumped right in. She never separated us and just ran through the standard questions that are on the initial application. She could tell my husband was nervous and told him not to worry because she had no reason not to approve him. She then informed us that she wasn't going to ask us for relationship proof, as we had submitted plenty with our initial application. Apparently our only hold up was the fact that they had been waiting on our I-130 approval to come back from the embassy that it had originally been sent to (we filed it a year earlier for other reasons) and she had finally received it. 

 

She printed my husband a welcome letter and we were out of there by 9:20 am. 

 

The only thing that hasn't happened yet is for our online status to update to approved. 

 

Good luck to everyone with upcoming interviews!!

Congratulations!! It sounds like interviews recently haven't been too bad; several people commented that they were asked simple questions from the initial application form. 

 

Enjoy having your life back! 

[lntdenver 42]

Here I am to tell you guys about my interview experience. 

 

First of all I want to thank everybody on this forum because it's been a long long journey and this forum really helped me throughout. 

 

Our appointment was at 7:30am. There were 2 accidents on the way and we had to reroute around them, which added some unnecessary stress to the situation. 

We planned to arrive 20-30 min early, but ended up arriving to the building around 7:25. We were fine, but I thought we were cutting really close and as I was driving, I was really hoping that the GPS was taking us to the right place. I do not recommend doing the same, haha. I thought it would have been a good idea to drive to the building the day before, but well too late for that now. So my recommendation is drive to the building before your interview date, and plan to arrive extra early. 

 

Step 1: security

We had to show our APPOINTMENT LETTER and both IDs. My husband said "we are here for an interview" and the security guy said "so you're looking for a job?" Which was kind of nice to have a non hostile environment. It was same drill as the airport security... Shoes off, empty pockets, everything in the basket,etc. 

 

Step 2: interview check in 

we had to take the elevator to the 2nd floor, and check in using our APPOINTMENT LETTER. This is very important and make sure you bring it with you!!! We gave them the letter, and waited in a lobby where other people were waiting. Some of them were very nicely dressed in full suits (I thought a little too much, but that is my opinion. We were on business casual).  I could tell some of them were lawyers. We made sure to turn our phones off. We were called in about 2 or 3 minutes. 

 

Step 3: the interview. 

The officer called us and we followed him to his office.  It was a real office cubicle and not those glass windows where you are interviewed for visas at the consulate. He was about early 30's and was quite friendly. He joked a couple times, we laughed and joked back. 

He swore us in to tell the truth. 

For the most part I could tell he was "checking the boxes" with the questions. And confirming the information we had submitted in the forms. 

Some specific questions he asked were:

each ones full names and date of births, the in-laws names, how we met and describe the relationship from the start until he said it was enough, what do we don't like about each other (to what I said that he is messy and doesn't help with cleaning the house or doing laundry. He said he feels like a dog being trained because I keep telling him what and how to do hahaha), our hobbies that we do together. 

He then asked if we had brought anything  else we wanted to share and I started handing our evidences... And he said ok that's enough haha

he explained there would be a few additional checks and then if everything came back ok, he would approve us today or tomorrow. 

anyway, overall he complimented us on having a very organized binder, and recommended keeping one for the ROC.

he took copies of our IDs and my SS card and explained the ROC process.

 

Step 4: the wait after the interview. 

We left the uscis building at 8:00 am. God know how many times I updated my email and the case tracker app haha. Around 2 pm the status updated to "Card being produced", but I didn't get any notifications or email or text. By 6 pm I got notifications by email and app that our status had changed to "case was approved" in green for both the I-485 and I-130. 

 

My advice for who is still going for the interview is be prepared, take more things than you think you'll need, organize them and know what is where, read as many interview experiences as you can so you know what to expect. 

 

Almost one year later we are almost done with the AOS!! No lawyer, no RFE's, no other third parties like congressman or ombudsman, and soon to have the GC in hands! Yahoooooo

[PaddyGirl13 75]

Congratulations!!

 

Our interview is in a month, I've spent the last couple of days going through my folder making sure we have everything ready. Medicals are this Friday. Hopefully the nerves don't get the better of me.

[Linyahui 103]

8 hours ago, lntdenver said:

Here I am to tell you guys about my interview experience. 

 

First of all I want to thank everybody on this forum because it's been a long long journey and this forum really helped me throughout. 

 

Our appointment was at 7:30am. There were 2 accidents on the way and we had to reroute around them, which added some unnecessary stress to the situation. 

We planned to arrive 20-30 min early, but ended up arriving to the building around 7:25. We were fine, but I thought we were cutting really close and as I was driving, I was really hoping that the GPS was taking us to the right place. I do not recommend doing the same, haha. I thought it would have been a good idea to drive to the building the day before, but well too late for that now. So my recommendation is drive to the building before your interview date, and plan to arrive extra early. 

 

Step 1: security

We had to show our APPOINTMENT LETTER and both IDs. My husband said "we are here for an interview" and the security guy said "so you're looking for a job?" Which was kind of nice to have a non hostile environment. It was same drill as the airport security... Shoes off, empty pockets, everything in the basket,etc. 

 

Step 2: interview check in 

we had to take the elevator to the 2nd floor, and check in using our APPOINTMENT LETTER. This is very important and make sure you bring it with you!!! We gave them the letter, and waited in a lobby where other people were waiting. Some of them were very nicely dressed in full suits (I thought a little too much, but that is my opinion. We were on business casual).  I could tell some of them were lawyers. We made sure to turn our phones off. We were called in about 2 or 3 minutes. 

 

Step 3: the interview. 

The officer called us and we followed him to his office.  It was a real office cubicle and not those glass windows where you are interviewed for visas at the consulate. He was about early 30's and was quite friendly. He joked a couple times, we laughed and joked back. 

He swore us in to tell the truth. 

For the most part I could tell he was "checking the boxes" with the questions. And confirming the information we had submitted in the forms. 

Some specific questions he asked were:

each ones full names and date of births, the in-laws names, how we met and describe the relationship from the start until he said it was enough, what do we don't like about each other (to what I said that he is messy and doesn't help with cleaning the house or doing laundry. He said he feels like a dog being trained because I keep telling him what and how to do hahaha), our hobbies that we do together. 

He then asked if we had brought anything  else we wanted to share and I started handing our evidences... And he said ok that's enough haha

he explained there would be a few additional checks and then if everything came back ok, he would approve us today or tomorrow. 

anyway, overall he complimented us on having a very organized binder, and recommended keeping one for the ROC.

he took copies of our IDs and my SS card and explained the ROC process.

 

Step 4: the wait after the interview. 

We left the uscis building at 8:00 am. God know how many times I updated my email and the case tracker app haha. Around 2 pm the status updated to "Card being produced", but I didn't get any notifications or email or text. By 6 pm I got notifications by email and app that our status had changed to "case was approved" in green for both the I-485 and I-130. 

 

My advice for who is still going for the interview is be prepared, take more things than you think you'll need, organize them and know what is where, read as many interview experiences as you can so you know what to expect. 

 

Almost one year later we are almost done with the AOS!! No lawyer, no RFE's, no other third parties like congressman or ombudsman, and soon to have the GC in hands! Yahoooooo

Thanks for sharing the details of your interview! The questions you were asked sound more detailed than some others. I'll have to ask PaddyGirl how hers went for St. Paul!

 

Enjoy the time until RoC and RELAX!! You made it!! 

[Linyahui 103]

39 minutes ago, PaddyGirl13 said:

Congratulations!!

 

Our interview is in a month, I've spent the last couple of days going through my folder making sure we have everything ready. Medicals are this Friday. Hopefully the nerves don't get the better of me.

Why do you have to redo your medical? I think you're adjusting status from a different visa than K-1, right? Sounds like the  process may be different, but just want to double check!! 

 

Fingers crossed the St. Paul office is now chugging along...

[PaddyGirl13 75]

Yep, I'd originally done the medical in Ireland when we were doing the cr1, but switched to Aos when I came over last year and my father in law got sick. Those medicals are out of date now so we need to redo. 

[lntdenver 42]

1 hour ago, PaddyGirl13 said:

Congratulations!!

 

Our interview is in a month, I've spent the last couple of days going through my folder making sure we have everything ready. Medicals are this Friday. Hopefully the nerves don't get the better of me.

Good luck on your interview coming up!! 

 

The specific documents he asked for were the appointment letter, both our Drivers licenses, my EAD and my SS card. 

 

I had read about so many interview experiences that I felt like I had done that before, so I didn't feel nervous at all. That's why I recommend reading a lot and I wanted to share my experience in details. 

 

They are just doing their job, checking the boxes and looking for red flags. Ultimately, they just want to make sure you will be a good resident and have good intentions, so if you know that in your heart than there is nothing to worry about. 

[lntdenver 42]

1 hour ago, Linyahui said:

Thanks for sharing the details of your interview! The questions you were asked sound more detailed than some others. I'll have to ask PaddyGirl how hers went for St. Paul!

 

Enjoy the time until RoC and RELAX!! You made it!! 

 

He asked other questions that I couldn't remember when posted last night...

Overall, it felt more like a conversation with a good flow and a hint of humor. Some others that i remembered overnight:

 

When my husband said the names of the in-laws, the officer said "have you met them? do they like you?" 

 

the officer also asked who does the cooking at home. 

 

He asked how many times each of us had been married, and if any of us have children, anywhere in the world. 

 

I think he asked me twice (or he was very emphatic) if I had ever overstayed, and if I had ever been deported from the country or had trouble entering the border. 

 

He also made comments about my initial application that clearly shows that he had reviewed it thoroughly before meeting us. 

 

so, yes, as you can see there were some detailed questions... and it's probably a good idea to be prepared for those and have a "light" interview instead of the other way around. 

 

Hoping for you guys to get your interviews soon!!! 

[fort knox 3]

Friends,

Our interview is on January 31, we are nervous of being asked some unexpected questions. Anyhow, we are going there to stay at the hotel a night before, to get rid of stress and and learn how to get there in advance.

Our folder ( interview Letter, lease, bank statements, receipt of rent payments, utilities, car insurance, life insurance, all receipts we got from USCIS, Sam's club membership, my i94 form, my wife's birth certificate, my passport, my birth certificate, her tax form of 2015, my 120 form which shows i am student in here, 160 pictures in a separate album). the only thing is that we are in a hurry to file our tax together, i got my W2 form from my school (im on F1 Visa),  but my wife has not received hers yet. what is you guys opinion? Is it a big deal if we have not done our taxes yet? 

Any last minute advice? anything else we need to have in our folder? 

Thank you,

[lntdenver 42]

Fort Knox,

 

Great idea on the hotel stay. 

 

As as far as taxes, they know we are barely reaching the tax season and the forms are just coming out now. 

We brought the last pay stubs for last year with YTD amounts, and my W-2 that I received a couple days before. We said we were going to file this year as married, but it would be the first time, because we had filed as single last year. 

The officer said that was good enough and didn't care to see any of our tax docs for this year. 

 

I hope it all goes well in your interview!! 

[sparkles_ 456]

We have done a hotel stay anytime we had to go to immigration related stuff. It really does help so much stress wise. 

 

Side note, anyone hear about Trump's supposed upcoming executive order on banning visas and immigration from some countries? I'm worried our immigration journey just may get harder

[Linyahui 103]

6 hours ago, lntdenver said:

 

He asked other questions that I couldn't remember when posted last night...

Overall, it felt more like a conversation with a good flow and a hint of humor. Some others that i remembered overnight:

 

When my husband said the names of the in-laws, the officer said "have you met them? do they like you?" 

 

the officer also asked who does the cooking at home. 

 

He asked how many times each of us had been married, and if any of us have children, anywhere in the world. 

 

I think he asked me twice (or he was very emphatic) if I had ever overstayed, and if I had ever been deported from the country or had trouble entering the border. 

 

He also made comments about my initial application that clearly shows that he had reviewed it thoroughly before meeting us. 

 

so, yes, as you can see there were some detailed questions... and it's probably a good idea to be prepared for those and have a "light" interview instead of the other way around. 

 

Hoping for you guys to get your interviews soon!!! 

Thanks, Intdenver! It shouldn't be long now...

 

Thanks for sharing the additional questions that came to mind. We should start reading others' interview experiences to prepare. 

 

[Linyahui 103]

5 hours ago, sparkles_ said:

We have done a hotel stay anytime we had to go to immigration related stuff. It really does help so much stress wise. 

 

Side note, anyone hear about Trump's supposed upcoming executive order on banning visas and immigration from some countries? I'm worried our immigration journey just may get harder

I did hear about that, Sparkles, and I immediately thought of you. That being said, though, I don't think he can do anything about those already in the country going through the immigration process. My impression is this applies to future immigrant applicants (still outrageous, but hopefully will not affect you or anyone else already on the AOS journey). 

[sparkles_ 456]

20 minutes ago, Linyahui said:

I did hear about that, Sparkles, and I immediately thought of you. That being said, though, I don't think he can do anything about those already in the country going through the immigration process. My impression is this applies to future immigrant applicants (still outrageous, but hopefully will not affect you or anyone else already on the AOS journey). 

So far Morocco is safe, but I have no doubt things may take longer now for us.....as long as they don't mess with his EAD renewal, I can handle it. We're very upset for others, though. Many have spouses or parents in those 7 countries listed so far who are in process or were to begin shortly. I understand the national security aspect of it but it is heartbreaking to think of families kept apart even longer now.