February 2017 AOS Filers

[Holdingon 16]

Filed AOS FOR K-2. Package included I-485 and 765

USCIS received it on FEB.15,2017

Received NOA on March 5.The NOA said I need fee for I-765. That is incorrect. I had forgot to sign in one place, my bad. I made corrections and quoted the website on no fee for minor if i765 filed with 485. Also sent a copy of my pending 485. Fingers crossed. Good luck to all

[MyMistaLovaLova 24]

I went to go get new NOA1 today at an infopass appt since my dates where blank. The agent refused to give me a duplicate copy of the NOA1. Instead, he added the date manually to all 3 letters and put his phone number on the letter in case someone had a question of his status. We then headed to DMV and renewed his drivers licensed to give him another year. 

 

Also did his biometrics today. Everything seems to be going just fine !

 

Anyone knows if I can call and expedite his EAD by using financial hardship, I'm his only sponsor though, so I am hoping it will not hurt the case if I do file under financial hardship.

[rosecloud 43]

11 minutes ago, MyMistaLovaLova said:

I went to go get new NOA1 today at an infopass appt since my dates where blank. The agent refused to give me a duplicate copy of the NOA1. Instead, he added the date manually to all 3 letters and put his phone number on the letter in case someone had a question of his status. We then headed to DMV and renewed his drivers licensed to give him another year. 

 

Also did his biometrics today. Everything seems to be going just fine !

 

Anyone knows if I can call and expedite his EAD by using financial hardship, I'm his only sponsor though, so I am hoping it will not hurt the case if I do file under financial hardship.

I've seen some people on here advising against expediting under financial hardship, since technically you should be able to support him. If he gets a job offer, that might be a better way to expedite under financial loss...since losing that job would be a financial loss to you both. I don't know though, you might have luck and they might not looking into your sponsor petition. 

[Lezzyme1979 38]

I suggest to anyone who is waiting 2-3 weeks for their NOA to schedule an Infopass. They were able to track what happened to the NOAs.

 

We went to our Infopass schedule today. Found out that NOA 1 for AP and AOS was sent to wrong Address. However when the lady tracked it, it said, it hasn't been return back to them. So she emailed and requested to resend it. She also updated our address.

 

She also said that Biometric was scheduled and notice was sent on March 4th, but we haven't received it. Initially, scheduled on March 22. So she printed the schedule and told us that since we are here already, you might as well get it done. Biometrics done!

 

She also told us that the most important thing, is that our application was received and she didn't see in our record/file that an RFE was sent. So that was good to know.

 

Hang in there guys.

                     

[Becci391 339]

Just received a text message and an email from USCIS.

Are there more to follow?

 

Edit: Never mind. Got a second text message. ?

 

Edit edit: Aaaaand there's number 3.

Edited March 15, 2017 by Becci391

[Gingerspike 55]

8 hours ago, Becci391 said:

Just received a text message and an email from USCIS.

Are there more to follow?

 

Edit: Never mind. Got a second text message. ?

 

Edit edit: Aaaaand there's number 3.

Congratulations! So it means they are now taking care the Feb. 21 filers. Good luck! *crossing my fingers

[rosecloud 43]

I called USCIS today about the dates missing on all of my NOA1 and I honestly can't believe how rude the lady was. I basically said that all of the dates are missing. Then she asked which notices, and I said all four of them, "I-130, I-131, I-485, and I-765." She kept asking, "so which one?" and I kept repeating that it was all of them. She asked for one of the receipt numbers and then made me read the entire notice for verification. She told me that there's nothing she can do, that they don't issue new notices and that it doesn't matter if the dates are missing. She said that if after 45 days I don't hear anything about my case, I should contact them...which is not even what I was asking. I guess I'm just baffled by her overall attitude towards me, but I best get used to it. 

[Absolutely 34]

I had my infopass appointment today re. the missing info on the NOA1's everyone is experiencing. He just manually penned on the receipt date and said they are likely leaving them blank due to security missing, so if it goes missing in the post, nobody can use the forms to their advantage. The service centre had not received an email about incorrectly printed forms, so it seemed a non-issue to him.

 

I also asked about how best to expedite the EAD form and if a failed request really does put you to the back of the line. He used to work at the NBC processing EAD's and he said:

No, a failed request does not put you at the back of the line. He looked confused when I asked but dismissed it.

The best way to go is via your local Congress Representative. If you try and expedite yourself, they will just add it to your case. If a politician or one of his/her staffers gets involved, somebody HAS to deal with it - and if a politician is pushing for it, they usually get their own way.

The EAD staff have differing view points on what counts as hardship. Some find that just breathing is a hardship and will approve all expedite requests, others are harsher and have tighter brackets for what they class as hardship.

 

It was a useful appointment and I also got to do my biometrics early, which is great as the EAD can't be processed until the biometrics are in.

[Soflatlndr 55]

25 minutes ago, Absolutely said:

I had my infopass appointment today re. the missing info on the NOA1's everyone is experiencing. He just manually penned on the receipt date and said they are likely leaving them blank due to security missing, so if it goes missing in the post, nobody can use the forms to their advantage. The service centre had not received an email about incorrectly printed forms, so it seemed a non-issue to him.

 

I also asked about how best to expedite the EAD form and if a failed request really does put you to the back of the line. He used to work at the NBC processing EAD's and he said:

No, a failed request does not put you at the back of the line. He looked confused when I asked but dismissed it.

The best way to go is via your local Congress Representative. If you try and expedite yourself, they will just add it to your case. If a politician or one of his/her staffers gets involved, somebody HAS to deal with it - and if a politician is pushing for it, they usually get their own way.

The EAD staff have differing view points on what counts as hardship. Some find that just breathing is a hardship and will approve all expedite requests, others are harsher and have tighter brackets for what they class as hardship.

 

It was a useful appointment and I also got to do my biometrics early, which is great as the EAD can't be processed until the biometrics are in.

Very useful comment, thank you!

I also got to talk to a USCIS rep who told me that missing dates on NOA1s are really not an issue, he gave them to me so I could have the info but that is all. 

Waiting to get a Biometrics letter now. 

 

Have a good day everyone  

[Nelly17 10]

On 3/12/2017 at 1:00 PM, gallegamericana said:

Hi all! I've been reading these posts all month and they've been very helpful. Finally chiming in with a few questions. Any help is appreciated.

 

My husband came to the US with me in 2015 on an F1 visa. We got married on December 30, 2016.

 

Application sent (I-130, I-485, I-765): 02/20/2017

Application received: 02/21/2017

Checks cashed: 02/28/2017

Text NOA1: 03/01/2017

Paper NOA1: 03/06/2017

Sent I-131 (we forgot to!) -03/08/17

RFE message for I-485 posted on USCIS check my status: 03/10/2017 -Haven't received paper RFE

Biometrics letter received: 03/10/2017

Biometrics scheduled: 03/24/2017

 

So, it's my understanding that the whole AOS process is put on hold for now and restarts once we send in our RFE paperwork. I am assuming it is because I only sent my W2s for the 2016 year and not my tax returns. I'm currently working on my tax returns with my accountant, but I've hit a road block because my husband and I were married on December 30, 2016. Technically I have to file as married now, but I don't know how to file! Jointly or separately? He never worked, but would have to get an ITIN in order for us to file jointly and I'm unsure if he can still file as exempt on his F1 if we file separately, now that we are married. 

 

Does anyone have any insight on how they filed their 2016 returns having gotten married?

I'm also assuming they will be asking for my tax returns, but it could be something else!

 

I'm just a little worried because we have a family event in his home country in July.

We got married on Dec 6 and filed jointly. I alreasy had an SSN though because I worked on campus as an F1 student. I did our taxes myself and we got our refund last week. You have to file by mail according to the IRS website also you need to add a letter signed by you two " to make the choice " look up that terms on the irs website. I'll post my letter so you can see what it looks like. 

 

Edit: I just read your other posts saying you decided to file separately. 

Edited March 15, 2017 by Nelly17

[Nelly17 10]

On 3/12/2017 at 1:00 PM, gallegamericana said:

Hi all! I've been reading these posts all month and they've been very helpful. Finally chiming in with a few questions. Any help is appreciated.

 

My husband came to the US with me in 2015 on an F1 visa. We got married on December 30, 2016.

 

Application sent (I-130, I-485, I-765): 02/20/2017

Application received: 02/21/2017

Checks cashed: 02/28/2017

Text NOA1: 03/01/2017

Paper NOA1: 03/06/2017

Sent I-131 (we forgot to!) -03/08/17

RFE message for I-485 posted on USCIS check my status: 03/10/2017 -Haven't received paper RFE

Biometrics letter received: 03/10/2017

Biometrics scheduled: 03/24/2017

 

So, it's my understanding that the whole AOS process is put on hold for now and restarts once we send in our RFE paperwork. I am assuming it is because I only sent my W2s for the 2016 year and not my tax returns. I'm currently working on my tax returns with my accountant, but I've hit a road block because my husband and I were married on December 30, 2016. Technically I have to file as married now, but I don't know how to file! Jointly or separately? He never worked, but would have to get an ITIN in order for us to file jointly and I'm unsure if he can still file as exempt on his F1 if we file separately, now that we are married. 

 

Does anyone have any insight on how they filed their 2016 returns having gotten married?

I'm also assuming they will be asking for my tax returns, but it could be something else!

 

I'm just a little worried because we have a family event in his home country in July.

You have to send this letter twice - one for federal taxes and the other one for state taxes. The only difference would be the address on the letter.

You would just need to send your tax paperwork plus the Letter in each envelope.

[goeb 3]

Completed Biometrics today, just walked in to the grand Rapids USCIS ASC, place was empty.

 

Also got an update that RFE was received, hoping to get the EAD by Mid-May as I don't know how much RFE stalled my application. RFE asked for supporting tax documents but 99% sure I sent them with the package as I looked it over 3 times. However, I only sent back my wife's 2015 W-2's, as tax filing only started a few weeks prior. I mailed back my wife's 2016 & 2015 W-2's just in case, along with the 2016 tax return, employment verification, and pay stubs.

 

Hopefully there won't be anymore issues moving forward, I was very stunned by the initial RFE.

[Miggel42 15]

It has been 20 days since they first processed my application and can't check my cases on the website

[rosecloud 43]

9 minutes ago, Miggel42 said:

It has been 20 days since they first processed my application and can't check my cases on the website

I can't either and it's been a bit over 20 days for me. I called yesterday and asked about that and they said that sometimes it can take up to 45 days to be able to check your case online. Hang in there! If after 45 days it doesn't show up, maybe try calling them? 

[Miggel42 15]

5 minutes ago, rosecloud said:

I can't either and it's been a bit over 20 days for me. I called yesterday and asked about that and they said that sometimes it can take up to 45 days to be able to check your case online. Hang in there! If after 45 days it doesn't show up, maybe try calling them? 

I called as well and I was told that could take 30 days, I just wanted to check for any RFE you never know :/