No Interview for AOS-Its been over a year (merged)

[MS and KK 13]

Its been over a year since we filed our AOS and all we've been told is that they have received our fingerprints.

 

We are well out of processing time for our local office for interview and I think our case is still at National Benefit Center in Missouri.  Is this normal?

 

I don't know what the problem is and what we should do.  We've filed two inquiries and were told its just taking longer.

 

His EAD expires soon and we've already sent that in for renewal, but what else to do I have NO idea.  Is it possible they will approve us without an interview?

[zilchfox 296]

Anything possible about the interview, but I'd just keep pushing for updates if I were you. I'm unsure if there's much else you can do aside from what you're doing already? Perhaps the EAD renewal will have a set of fresh eyes look at your AOS case and wonder why it's been hiding behind a filing cabinet for all these months.

[ricky90501 15]

This is normal. There is apparently a huge backlog of AOS applications currently. We filed beginning of last June and our status was stuck on "fingerprint fee received" until last month (for 11 months) when it finally changed to "interview is scheduled". All you can really do is wait and be patient. I know, it sucks. But hang in there, you should hear something soon since it's been a year. Most people hear something around 12 months . In the meantime, I would begin renewing the EAD.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Normal especially on a k1

[sparkles_ 456]

If there was a k1 before AOS, yes it is possible. You should make an effort to find out if you guys are on the interview waiver list, either by tier 2 or infopass.

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

1 hour ago, MS and KK said:

Its been over a year since we filed our AOS and all we've been told is that they have received our fingerprints.

 

We are well out of processing time for our local office for interview and I think our case is still at National Benefit Center in Missouri.  Is this normal?

 

I don't know what the problem is and what we should do.  We've filed two inquiries and were told its just taking longer.

 

His EAD expires soon and we've already sent that in for renewal, but what else to do I have NO idea.  Is it possible they will approve us without an interview?

Sucks to wait that long - if you weren't aware of this the EAD's are now automatically (since January 17th) extended for 180 days after expiration if you file for the extension within the time you are supposed to (as you did). So at least you don't have to worry about that part.  The EAD together with the NOA1 from the extension application serves as an unexpired EAD.

Edited May 11, 2017 by Suss&Camm

[zorus40k 21]

2 hours ago, MS and KK said:

Its been over a year since we filed our AOS and all we've been told is that they have received our fingerprints.

We are well out of processing time for our local office for interview and I think our case is still at National Benefit Center in Missouri.  Is this normal?

I don't know what the problem is and what we should do.  We've filed two inquiries and were told its just taking longer.

His EAD expires soon and we've already sent that in for renewal, but what else to do I have NO idea.  Is it possible they will approve us without an interview?

I got approved without an interview but it didn't take so long.

My bet is that DHS running background checks. I'd recommend calling and asking about your case.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

We filed May 2015.
Interview was Sept. 2016.
Since then in background checks for the past 8 months.
We are sending in the second EAD renewal next week.
You may or may not have an interview, one year and slightly over is normal.

Things you can do :
Service request

Talk to tier 2

Senator inquiry

If longer than 18-24 months contact the Ombudsman.

If you are stuck in background checks then there is nothing you can do to move it along, it will take however long it will take.

 

[MS and KK 13]

My husband and I have been waiting for our AOS interview almost two years. 

We've sent two requests and they noted its out of processing time but still pending.  Is that normal? 

Our 2nd anniversary is in March.  If we don't get approved before our Anniversary will he automatically get a 10 year green card ? 

If we get the approval before our 2 year anniversary what do we do next? 

When can we apply for citizenship?

 

[Georgia16 2,858]

No it's not normal to wait for 2 years. What have they said and what have you done in this situation?

 

Yes, if the GC gets approved after you have been married for 2 years then he will get the 10 year GC.

 

If he gets approved before the 2 years anniversary then he will get the 2 year GC and you will have to apply for the 10 year GC after the 2 year GC expires (90 days before).

 

No he can not apply for citizenship. He will have to be a permanent resident for 3 years (if married to you) or 5 years. He is not a permanent resident until his GC is approved so he has a long road before he can apply for citizenship. 

[MS and KK 13]

so the clock for citizenship does not start until after he gets either his conditional  or his 10year green card???

 

It does not make sense to have wait for a 10 year GC to expire when we can apply for citizenship after 3 years.

 

They keep telling us that it is still under review its now at the local office has been now I think almost two months but still under review.  We live in a major metro not sure why this is taking so long.  Im wondering if at his point its to our advantage to hope they wait till AFTER we've been married 2 years.

[Georgia16 2,858]

7 minutes ago, MS and KK said:

so the clock for citizenship does not start until after he gets either his conditional  or his 10year green card???

 

It does not make sense to have wait for a 10 year GC to expire when we can apply for citizenship after 3 years.

 

They keep telling us that it is still under review its now at the local office has been now I think almost two months but still under review.  We live in a major metro not sure why this is taking so long.  Im wondering if at his point its to our advantage to hope they wait till AFTER we've been married 2 years.

What do you mean with wait for a 10 year GC to expire?

 

Just remember a lot of people don't wish to get US citizenship and live here happily on a GC. US citizenship after 3 or 5 years is just an offer not something that people have to do.

[MS and KK 13]

I am saying asking about when we can start the process for citizenship. My point is even with a 10 year GC why wait as early as possible go for the GC.  I know people stay here with one and I guess part of me understands why but I don't understand why NOT go for citizenship as soon as possible.  For us we want to go asap.  First I am tired of the federal gov in my life and my husbands life the paperwork the waiting etc.  Second, there are no guarantees UNTIL citizenship.  Most importantly for us behind getting the bastards out of my life and the paperwork.  A US passport lets you travel the world with mostly no issues.  Unfortunately my husband is NOT from an EU country so we have restrictions on places we can go to together w/o a US passport. Oh yea did i mention getting those bastards out of our lives and the benefits of citizenship.

[Georgia16 2,858]

49 minutes ago, MS and KK said:

I am saying asking about when we can start the process for citizenship. My point is even with a 10 year GC why wait as early as possible go for the GC.  I know people stay here with one and I guess part of me understands why but I don't understand why NOT go for citizenship as soon as possible.  For us we want to go asap.  First I am tired of the federal gov in my life and my husbands life the paperwork the waiting etc.  Second, there are no guarantees UNTIL citizenship.  Most importantly for us behind getting the bastards out of my life and the paperwork.  A US passport lets you travel the world with mostly no issues.  Unfortunately my husband is NOT from an EU country so we have restrictions on places we can go to together w/o a US passport. Oh yea did i mention getting those bastards out of our lives and the benefits of citizenship.

If you guys are still married then he can starts his citizenship when he has had his Green Card for 3 years.

[MS and KK 13]

My husband and I had our interview for his AOS and I don't think it went as well as we wanted.  There was a lot of confusion.  Regardless, a few days later we received an RFE for additional information for items we knew we needed to submit.  Would it be unusual for them to ask us to come back for a second interview or do  they/can they request more info after this letter or do they make a determination once we respond to the RFE?