Anyone with J-1/ F-1 who filed for AOS (marriage-based) in 2016 & 2017?

[strider4 43]

1 hour ago, tamaara said:

Hi everyone! I've just found this and I'm (hopefully) close to the end of the process!

 

I'm adjusting from J-1, I had 212 residency requirement but I didn't get the approved waiver before sending my package. I never got an RFE due to this so we will just bring it to our interview on Sept 25.

 

They've changed the forms for AOS several times this year so to everyone looking for advice on filing I say read USCIS's website and instructions carefully because we've all had different experiences (and sent different forms). They also raised the prices I think.

 

We consulted with a lawyer from my university and were told that filing did not affect my J-1 program, I could finish it without problems. However, I could not get an extension on my DS-2019 after it was over and here I do not remember if it was because I had asked for the 212 waiver or because of filing (but I'm inclined to say it was the first one)

 

Everything has been going smoothly for us, thank goodness!

Check my timeline and/or signature for more info on my process.

 

 

Awesome! I also filed for the 212(e) waiver last year. Yes, you're absolutely right about not being able to extend your DS-2019 once you apply for the waiver. Your timeline is very encouraging. I was wondering people adjusting from non-K-1 visas might be going through relatively slow processing. Good luck with the interview and please post the update when you're done!

[cosmonauts 125]

1 hour ago, izavox said:

Thank you for the info!!! I have a question: I was on a J-1 visa as well (no 2 year residence though) and I was thinking about trying to update my name to my married name on my SSN but I haven't gotten my EAD yet. Do you think it's possible with just the NOA1 saying I'm currently on the process of adjusting status? 

I honestly don't know but from what I've read you need the EAD. You could try calling and asking them. I didn't change my name so I won't be doing this. I do, however, would like to get an updated SSN card because mine says "with DHS work authorization" or something like that but I will wait until I have the EAD.

 

I found some information here:

https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/ss5doc.htm

 

Can you create a timeline? This will be helpful to future J-1 applicants!

[strider4 43]

52 minutes ago, tamaara said:

I honestly don't know but from what I've read you need the EAD. You could try calling and asking them. I didn't change my name so I won't be doing this. I do, however, would like to get an updated SSN card because mine says "with DHS work authorization" or something like that but I will wait until I have the EAD.

 

I found some information here:

https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/ss5doc.htm

 

Can you create a timeline? This will be helpful to future J-1 applicants!

If I decide to continue working on campus but with an EAD (instead of J-1 work auth) would I have to get my SSN card updated?

I might have to use my AP in Dec (and thereby, losing J-1 status), so I'd have to switch to EAD for continuing to work on campus.

[cosmonauts 125]

12 minutes ago, strider4 said:

If I decide to continue working on campus but with an EAD (instead of J-1 work auth) would I have to get my SSN card updated?

I might have to use my AP in Dec (and thereby, losing J-1 status), so I'd have to switch to EAD for continuing to work on campus.

When does your J-1 status end? I feel like you should discuss this with your RO, they should be able to give you specific answers.

I filed for AOS towards the end of my J-1 so I didn't have problems with switching employment., I just couldn't work for a while.

 

Also, I can't see dates on your timeline, is it hidden for some reason?

[strider4 43]

6 hours ago, tamaara said:

When does your J-1 status end? I feel like you should discuss this with your RO, they should be able to give you specific answers.

I filed for AOS towards the end of my J-1 so I didn't have problems with switching employment., I just couldn't work for a while.

 

Also, I can't see dates on your timeline, is it hidden for some reason?

My J-1 ends in summer next year but  my admission is until summer of 2019 and it's going to take me that much time to graduate. I work on campus in order to receive tuition waiver benefits. I discussed this with our lawyer and the school's int'l student office as well. They made me understand what it'd mean to use AP before the J-1 expires i.e. they'd continue to let me study and work; just that I'd have to use the EAD to continue working on campus, in addition to not having a status to fall back to in case the AOS is denied. I'd have to use my AP because my mother is going to go through a major medical procedure but she insists that I be there. She has complicated health issues due to old age, so she's worried and panicking and I haven't seen her in two years. If it weren't for this, I'd not have used my AP. But on the flip side, our lawyer estimates for the local office to make us wait until later next year for the interview i.e. after my J-1 expires. In that case I'll be also out of J-1 status but would be eligible to study and work on campus with a pending AOS. I don't want to regret not using the AP in efforts to preserve my J-1 status temporarily but then having to have the interview later on in 2018 at which point I'd be without the J-1 anyway. 

You're right; the school should be able to answer the SSN card question since they'd be the ones to whom I'd be submitting the documentation for work eligibility.

My signature is very long because of the timeline so I put it in one of those 'spoiler' boxes to ease strain on the readers of the threads I post in  . You may access it by clicking the little arrow on the left of 'reveal hidden contents'. 

[izavox 147]

19 hours ago, tamaara said:

I honestly don't know but from what I've read you need the EAD. You could try calling and asking them. I didn't change my name so I won't be doing this. I do, however, would like to get an updated SSN card because mine says "with DHS work authorization" or something like that but I will wait until I have the EAD.

 

I found some information here:

https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/ss5doc.htm

 

Can you create a timeline? This will be helpful to future J-1 applicants!

Thank you tamaara. I think you're right, I wont be able to do much with the SSN if I don't have official proof of immigration and not just the NOA's. 

 

I put my timeline on my signature, hope it works =)

[Delta7 9]

Hello, 

 

My (now) fiancé came here in Mid May on a J1 work/travel visa which expires on September 15th. We were originally planning on going the K1 route, however she lives in Russia and given the current state of political affairs between the US and Russia, we're strongly considering getting a civil court marriage and filing the AOS before her visa expires. 

 

What exact forms would we need besides the I-485 AOS? She would like to travel home and see her family, so that is the I-131 correct? She also would like to work, so that is the I-765 if I'm correct.  I saw somewhere online that these three can be filed together, is that true?

 

I'm not sure of the steps to go, can anyone help?

 

Also, is there any chance of USCIS rejecting her AOS since we would get married 3 months after meeting each other? She has met my family (and extended family) we've taken trips together to Boston, Niagra falls, and has met all my friends. 

 

Thank you so much

[izavox 147]

19 minutes ago, Delta7 said:

Hello, 

 

My (now) fiancé came here in Mid May on a J1 work/travel visa which expires on September 15th. We were originally planning on going the K1 route, however she lives in Russia and given the current state of political affairs between the US and Russia, we're strongly considering getting a civil court marriage and filing the AOS before her visa expires. 

 

What exact forms would we need besides the I-485 AOS? She would like to travel home and see her family, so that is the I-131 correct? She also would like to work, so that is the I-765 if I'm correct.  I saw somewhere online that these three can be filed together, is that true?

 

I'm not sure of the steps to go, can anyone help?

 

Also, is there any chance of USCIS rejecting her AOS since we would get married 3 months after meeting each other? She has met my family (and extended family) we've taken trips together to Boston, Niagra falls, and has met all my friends. 

 

Thank you so much

Hey Delta7, here's the Visa Journey guide to Adjusting Status in the U.S. =) There you'll find all the content and forms you'll need to file for the Green Card process.

 

http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide2

 

In terms of the short period of time dating, I honestly can't tell if that's a red flag or not. I think you should be fine, since it's genuine and she's familiar with your friends and family, I guess just in terms of showing you guys share a life together will be key. I mean in terms of evidence of bonafide marriage, such as joint bank accounts and etc.

[AAA0914 0]

On 7/5/2017 at 4:49 PM, Jahcharlotte said:

My J-1 finishes this month. I got married back in April but didn't apply yet as I was told my J1 would be void and I would have lost my job (have taught here for the last 5 years). I am trying to put the paperwork together now, seeing as the school year has now finished but every time I look at the instructions, there is another form to fill out with more money to spend. I want to have it in the mail tomorrow if possible.

Hello! Chance upon your post! I am also on J-1 visa and just got my waiver from uscis yesterday. I am not working anymore under j-1 as I read in some threads that as soon as I got my waiver from dept state and uscis, i can no longer work. My visa is still good until 2018. 

 

Anyway, what are the paperwork needed for our case? J-1 and based on marriage to usc? I look forward to your response! Btw, i am using the new I-485. So far that is the only one Inhave filled out. What are the other documents

i need? Tia!

[cosmonauts 125]

17 hours ago, AAA0914 said:

Hello! Chance upon your post! I am also on J-1 visa and just got my waiver from uscis yesterday. I am not working anymore under j-1 as I read in some threads that as soon as I got my waiver from dept state and uscis, i can no longer work. My visa is still good until 2018. 

 

Anyway, what are the paperwork needed for our case? J-1 and based on marriage to usc? I look forward to your response! Btw, i am using the new I-485. So far that is the only one Inhave filled out. What are the other documents

i need? Tia!

You need to file the following:

 

I-130 (petition for alien relative) $535

I-130A (supplemental information for spouse beneficiary)

https://www.uscis.gov/i-130

 

I-485 (application to register adjustment of status) $1,140 + $85

I-864 (affidavit of support)

I-693 optional at the time of filing (medical exam)

I-765 (employment authorization)

I-131 (advanced parole)

https://www.uscis.gov/i-485

 

I just took this information from the USCIS links above. Read the instructions carefully. It seems that the VJ guidelines are not up to date to recent changes.

[AAA0914 0]

31 minutes ago, tamaara said:

You need to file the following:

 

I-130 (petition for alien relative) $535

I-130A (supplemental information for spouse beneficiary)

https://www.uscis.gov/i-130

 

I-485 (application to register adjustment of status) $1,140 + $85

I-864 (affidavit of support)

I-693 optional at the time of filing (medical exam)

I-765 (employment authorization)

I-131 (advanced parole)

https://www.uscis.gov/i-485

 

I just took this information from the USCIS links above. Read the instructions carefully. It seems that the VJ guidelines are not up to date to recent changes.

Yes I got them all! I chcked uscis site and read carefully the instructions. So far the bigraphical data were removed and it is now part  of I-485 and then there is a supplement for I-130 which is I-130A. Now double checking all the info I wrote! Thanks!

[LaughingBuddha 64]

Hello,

I am adjusting from F1,and here is my timeline:

 

05/31/2017 Application package received by USCIS

06/26/2017 Fingerprint done + received a RFIE

07/05/2017 USCIS received my response of RFIE

08/31/2017 Interview is scheduled 

                   (Interestingly, On the Notice of interview, it indicates that the letter was sent on 08/25/2017, but the  

                   online case status changed to " interview is scheduled" on 08/31/2017, which was the same date I

                    received the letter! )

09/29/2017 Interview date

 

Good Luck everyone!:)

Edited September 3, 2017 by LaughingBuddha

[AAA0914 0]

On 9/2/2017 at 8:56 AM, tamaara said:

You need to file the following:

 

I-130 (petition for alien relative) $535

I-130A (supplemental information for spouse beneficiary)

https://www.uscis.gov/i-130

 

I-485 (application to register adjustment of status) $1,140 + $85

I-864 (affidavit of support)

I-693 optional at the time of filing (medical exam)

I-765 (employment authorization)

I-131 (advanced parole)

https://www.uscis.gov/i-485

 

I just took this information from the USCIS links above. Read the instructions carefully. It seems that the VJ guidelines are not up to date to recent changes.

Hello again! Do I submit only photocopies of the requirements to USCIS for my AOS packet? Which specific ones need to be original or certified cooies and which ones can be just photocopies? Thank you.

[tato2017 41]

just submit all the photocopies.  You need to take the originals and certified copies to the interview with you.

[DoubleZ 2]

On 03/09/2017 at 1:07 PM, LaughingBuddha said:

Hello,

I am adjusting from F1,and here is my timeline:

 

05/31/2017 Application package received by USCIS

06/26/2017 Fingerprint done + received a RFIE

07/05/2017 USCIS received my response of RFIE

08/31/2017 Interview is scheduled 

                   (Interestingly, On the Notice of interview, it indicates that the letter was sent on 08/25/2017, but the  

                   online case status changed to " interview is scheduled" on 08/31/2017, which was the same date I

                    received the letter! )

09/29/2017 Interview date

 

Good Luck everyone!:)

Is this an out of the ordinary super quick turn around or are processing times just great right now? 
I was expecting/heard on the grapevine that it was generally a year before an interview!