July 2017 AOS Fillers

[T_P 872]

2 minutes ago, Adam&Allison said:

 

I think it goes up and down. A couple of years ago you could expect your AOS within 6 months, now it seems to be the norm that they're taking a minimum of 12 months. 

As much as I want to understand their side, I cant believe that this process simple takes so long and it "freezes" peoples life. I`m just thankful I`m done for the next two years. 

[Adam&Allison 128]

Just now, T_P said:

As much as I want to understand their side, I cant believe that this process simple takes so long and it "freezes" peoples life. I`m just thankful I`m done for the next two years. 

 

It's tough that's for sure. Day to day it mostly doesn't really bother me and I'm of the opinion now that it'll happen when it happens, but some days it does get me down. 

[T_P 872]

1 minute ago, Adam&Allison said:

 

It's tough that's for sure. Day to day it mostly doesn't really bother me and I'm of the opinion now that it'll happen when it happens, but some days it does get me down. 

I see. Well at least you got your EAD and can start working, something to keep you busy. 

[Adam&Allison 128]

1 minute ago, T_P said:

I see. Well at least you got your EAD and can start working, something to keep you busy. 

 

Yep had my EAD since September. Filing the renewal for it hopefully next week

[T_P 872]

Just now, Adam&Allison said:

 

Yep had my EAD since September. Filing the renewal for it hopefully next week

Good luck with everything and keep positive. That is definitely a good approach. 

[leymanai 60]

2 minutes ago, T_P said:

I see. Well at least you got your EAD and can start working, something to keep you busy. 

Well you guys at least have EAD to keep yourself busy. My was ready in November but post office messed up stuff a lot and USCIS are still promising me to send it day buy day for almost 5 month. I have no documents, I missed a date to apply for SSN. And can't pretty much even to apply to study at any University or college because I am not a resident. And I cannot apply as international because I need to have study visa. And of course, no one is responsible. 

[Kirk&Kean 9]

3 hours ago, leymanai said:

Well you guys at least have EAD to keep yourself busy. My was ready in November but post office messed up stuff a lot and USCIS are still promising me to send it day buy day for almost 5 month. I have no documents, I missed a date to apply for SSN. And can't pretty much even to apply to study at any University or college because I am not a resident. And I cannot apply as international because I need to have study visa. And of course, no one is responsible. 

Regarding the school stuff, you may be wrong. Even if you have EAD that doesn't mean you are a resident. Diff universities & colleges classify their proposition/in-state tuition fee eligibility differently. For instance, when I got into the U.S. in June 17, got married, applied for SSN with my married name, because my spouse is a resident of AZ and have been filing taxes in AZ for more than a year. I thought I had to restart my entire education by going through Associate's degree prior to Bachelor's. We found out there's a community college nearby, but at the same time I've also found out about University of Arizona have a 2 years Bachelors degree program which the major is really what I wanted. When I went to register myself for the college, talked to the International Student Department's head, shown them my K1 visa + marriage cert, to my surprise the community college's proposition had some requirement stated in their college site about what are the supporting docs that count towards the residency requirement which allows me to pay in-state fee. 1 of it is spouse/dependent of resident of AZ. I've also gotten my driving license the moment we moved to AZ after marriage in CA, although it is only short term (valid until K1 visa's expiry date), but it can serve as another temporary ID.

Another surprise was that the UA's advisor told me that they've briefly gone through my Associate's degree acquired from Malaysia can transfer pretty much more than 60 credit hours and that means I can start my 2 years bachelor's degree directly with them. The only disadvantage is that this particular program is only offered via Online format, distance learning (which is something I think I lack self-discipline). But since they accepted me, and online program usually charge one same fee per credit hours, ignoring the in-state/out-state fee, I thought of giving it a try. They told me the only thing they cannot accept are my English courses from my alma mater, which makes it I have to go through Freshmen Composition English 101 and 102 again in order to meet the General Education Literacy requirement. The credit hrs at UA are $390/credit, whereas the community college is $384 for 3 credits, guess what, I ended up enrolled in both schools, taking half-time at the CC and half-time at UA. But as soon as I registered and paid for classes with UA, then there was some stupid insurance fees I am forced to pay, they said their university classify K1 visa holder as non-immigrant which means they count me as International Student. That, makes me having to purchase their Campus Insurance (mandatory for all international student) - about $1k/sem. I told them but I am taking distance learning course, it isn't on campus nor am I any closer to the main campus, (who would want to drive 2-3 hours to Tucson for the stupid Campus Health). Furthermore, my partner got us into Affordable Care Act, we spoke to the UA's Campus Health President, unfortunately they still cannot waive the International Student Insurance for me. As a result, I withdrawn before the end of Add/Drop classes week to get full refund for my registered class with UA. I told them I will delay it and wait for my Green Card before I continue with UA for my Bachelors degree.

However, that made me change my plan with community college, instead of taking part time, I move on to take more classes, became a full time student in Fall 2017, took Eng-101, Spanish-101, some other courses which I think will help me transition better into Junior/Senior year when my GC is on hand and ready to take on Bachelor's degree.

It is best that you visit any schools nearby you to check regarding the residency tuition rate, show them you entered US with K1 visa legally, show them your I-94 stamp on your passport, show them you have filed for AOS, and it is still pending for adjudication, marriage cert, and perhaps your spouse have been filing tax in the state you both are living in. You are currently a dependent because you don't have a job.

From these experiences, I've learned that perhaps my plan to pursue degree be delayed are meant to happen.
I never liked online studies, I know myself too well that I do not have the discipline to perform well academically, I tend to procrastinate a lot.
It also allows me more time to do research about other possible schools that offer the program I am interested in, that lead us to planning for moving to the East Coast.

Therefore, go on and inquire with the schools you might be interested to study at, sometimes there are lack of info in the website, visiting campus and inquire all the questions you want would be the best option.

[JSWH 262]

10 hours ago, leymanai said:

Well you guys at least have EAD to keep yourself busy. My was ready in November but post office messed up stuff a lot and USCIS are still promising me to send it day buy day for almost 5 month. I have no documents, I missed a date to apply for SSN. And can't pretty much even to apply to study at any University or college because I am not a resident. And I cannot apply as international because I need to have study visa. And of course, no one is responsible. 

 

You can apply without a student visa or GC. F-1 visa is required to enter the country. You're here already. Most universities do not ask students about their immigration status. It might affect your tuition though, in-state or out-of-state. However, in Texas, for public institutions of higher education, the following rules apply to determine Texas residency for tuition purposes (look at part (d))  http://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=1&ch=21&rl=24

I am finishing my first year of two-year Master's program at University of Houston. I pay in-state tuition. 

[DianaLucena 72]

On ‎3‎/‎28‎/‎2018 at 1:42 PM, Ehri&Mark said:

Hey, all. I just found out that there is another USCIS tracker that updates more often than the USCIS.gov.

 

Here is the link: 

https://myaccount.uscis.dhs.gov/

 

On my uscis.gov account, it has not updated since October for I-485 ( RFIE was mailed ) and Case was received for EAD and AP ( I already got my combo card since Dec ). 

 

And when I made an account with the link above, it says on my I-485 that they were scheduling my interview ( dated Dec 6, 2017 ).

 

It's been almost 4 months from that date, has anyone experience this? Their case said scheduling interview and still waiting for it?

Thank you for the link.

 

I'm in the same situation. On my uscis.gov account, my I-485 has not updated since JULY (Fingerprint Fee Was Received). 

 

And I just registered on the other link and it shows "We are scheduling your interview" (dated Oct 10, 2017)

[leymanai 60]

17 hours ago, Kirk&Kean said:

Regarding the school stuff, you may be wrong. Even if you have EAD that doesn't mean you are a resident. Diff universities & colleges classify their proposition/in-state tuition fee eligibility differently. For instance, when I got into the U.S. in June 17, got married, applied for SSN with my married name, because my spouse is a resident of AZ and have been filing taxes in AZ for more than a year. I thought I had to restart my entire education by going through Associate's degree prior to Bachelor's. We found out there's a community college nearby, but at the same time I've also found out about University of Arizona have a 2 years Bachelors degree program which the major is really what I wanted. When I went to register myself for the college, talked to the International Student Department's head, shown them my K1 visa + marriage cert, to my surprise the community college's proposition had some requirement stated in their college site about what are the supporting docs that count towards the residency requirement which allows me to pay in-state fee. 1 of it is spouse/dependent of resident of AZ. I've also gotten my driving license the moment we moved to AZ after marriage in CA, although it is only short term (valid until K1 visa's expiry date), but it can serve as another temporary ID.

Another surprise was that the UA's advisor told me that they've briefly gone through my Associate's degree acquired from Malaysia can transfer pretty much more than 60 credit hours and that means I can start my 2 years bachelor's degree directly with them. The only disadvantage is that this particular program is only offered via Online format, distance learning (which is something I think I lack self-discipline). But since they accepted me, and online program usually charge one same fee per credit hours, ignoring the in-state/out-state fee, I thought of giving it a try. They told me the only thing they cannot accept are my English courses from my alma mater, which makes it I have to go through Freshmen Composition English 101 and 102 again in order to meet the General Education Literacy requirement. The credit hrs at UA are $390/credit, whereas the community college is $384 for 3 credits, guess what, I ended up enrolled in both schools, taking half-time at the CC and half-time at UA. But as soon as I registered and paid for classes with UA, then there was some stupid insurance fees I am forced to pay, they said their university classify K1 visa holder as non-immigrant which means they count me as International Student. That, makes me having to purchase their Campus Insurance (mandatory for all international student) - about $1k/sem. I told them but I am taking distance learning course, it isn't on campus nor am I any closer to the main campus, (who would want to drive 2-3 hours to Tucson for the stupid Campus Health). Furthermore, my partner got us into Affordable Care Act, we spoke to the UA's Campus Health President, unfortunately they still cannot waive the International Student Insurance for me. As a result, I withdrawn before the end of Add/Drop classes week to get full refund for my registered class with UA. I told them I will delay it and wait for my Green Card before I continue with UA for my Bachelors degree.

However, that made me change my plan with community college, instead of taking part time, I move on to take more classes, became a full time student in Fall 2017, took Eng-101, Spanish-101, some other courses which I think will help me transition better into Junior/Senior year when my GC is on hand and ready to take on Bachelor's degree.

It is best that you visit any schools nearby you to check regarding the residency tuition rate, show them you entered US with K1 visa legally, show them your I-94 stamp on your passport, show them you have filed for AOS, and it is still pending for adjudication, marriage cert, and perhaps your spouse have been filing tax in the state you both are living in. You are currently a dependent because you don't have a job.

From these experiences, I've learned that perhaps my plan to pursue degree be delayed are meant to happen.
I never liked online studies, I know myself too well that I do not have the discipline to perform well academically, I tend to procrastinate a lot.
It also allows me more time to do research about other possible schools that offer the program I am interested in, that lead us to planning for moving to the East Coast.

Therefore, go on and inquire with the schools you might be interested to study at, sometimes there are lack of info in the website, visiting campus and inquire all the questions you want would be the best option.

Well unfortunately I wasn't aware of when K1 expires, I can't obtain any documents without EAD or GC. I realized we need my SSN only when my husband was trying to file joint taxes. Had to apply for itin instead. But even they were hesitating about that because if I have my GC application pending, I'm eligible for SSN. Their rules are saying not to issue itin if I can get SSN. Waiting for their decision now. And the same thing about driving license. By now so far I know rules of 6 different states 😂 but I need to wait until I at least have any card on me. So I'm kind of stuck. But thank you for your advice. It was very helpful. I guess admission girl didn't quite knew what she was talking about. I will look into that topic deeply and see what are my options

[leymanai 60]

15 hours ago, JSWH said:

You can apply without a student visa or GC. F-1 visa is required to enter the country. You're here already. Most universities do not ask students about their immigration status. It might affect your tuition though, in-state or out-of-state. However, in Texas, for public institutions of higher education, the following rules apply to determine Texas residency for tuition purposes (look at part (d))  http://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=1&ch=21&rl=24

I am finishing my first year of two-year Master's program at University of Houston. I pay in-state tuition. 

Unfortunately, the residency status a bit messed up. Despite the fact that i registered in Texas. And my USCIS office sends all mail to that address, his parents live there, and I need more permanent address. My husband is active duty and his driving license shows he is a resident of Miami. In fact, we lived in SD, MN, MO. In a month we are moving to GA for 5 month and then going back to MO, where he stationed. How to determine my resident status? Is it Texas?

[JSWH 262]

10 minutes ago, leymanai said:

Unfortunately, the residency status a bit messed up. Despite the fact that i registered in Texas. And my USCIS office sends all mail to that address, his parents live there, and I need more permanent address. My husband is active duty and his driving license shows he is a resident of Miami. In fact, we lived in SD, MN, MO. In a month we are moving to GA for 5 month and then going back to MO, where he stationed. How to determine my resident status? Is it Texas?

 

With the military it's a bit different, I'm not sure. My husband is a retired military officer (USAF); I will ask him how to determine a residency status. 

[leymanai 60]

9 hours ago, JSWH said:

I will ask him how to determine a residency status. 

That would be very helpful) thank you 

[Kirk&Kean 9]

11 hours ago, leymanai said:

Unfortunately, the residency status a bit messed up. Despite the fact that i registered in Texas. And my USCIS office sends all mail to that address, his parents live there, and I need more permanent address. My husband is active duty and his driving license shows he is a resident of Miami. In fact, we lived in SD, MN, MO. In a month we are moving to GA for 5 month and then going back to MO, where he stationed. How to determine my resident status? Is it Texas?

Determine it by where your husband filed his tax at, as well as where his Driving License is being issued at. Residency are sort of tied with Domicile Status. That can be usually proven by providing IRS tax transcript, state of where the driving license is being issued. I get it why you are sort of worry about your address because of the constant moving, here are some questions for you:

1) Do you guys return to the same house / address everytime you return to MO ?
2) Is his tax filed in MO? Driving license issued in MO? Or is it in Texas?
3) You are a dependent now, so they don't really look at where you live unless you have already lived in Texas for a year in the same address, but judging from what you told about lived in SD, MN, MO -> that shows that you guys are moving quite often.

It seems you guys have registered TX -> parents' house address as permanent address. Are you planning to go to schools / universities in TX? Ever thought about looking for options of distance learning? Universities that offer distance learning (Online teaching format) only have 1 type of tuition fee, it counts by per credit hour. That might suit you better because of your husband's job require him to relocate so often, so do you.

Yes I do agree universities tend to not really ask about immigration status but at least when you provide them the passport, they could have seen that you entered legally with K-1 visa (although already expired). And you can further provide documents such as pending adjudication of GC, approval letter of EAD. Whereas, if you study for online program, you don't have to worry about out-state / in-state tuition fee, you study or learn from home at your own free time, you can take part-time (6-9 credit hours) for the first semester once you enrolled in to see how much you can handle, and at a later-point if you think you can handle full time then go right ahead to take more for next semester.

For eg: I got admitted into U of A for their online bachelor's degree (2 years) program, but I was expecting it was an on-campus because of the way it was worded in their website. Kind of felt like I got trolled until I spoke with the advisors. But it worked out because of the international student insurance (stupid thing). Well it was complicated for me, they have a small campus here in Yuma, they try to admit me into Yuma Campus (physically being in Yuma), credit per hour is the cheapest among all campuses (including the Online Campus). But they have told me that the program classes will be conducted online, the Yuma Campus only teach classes related to agriculture on campus. So I was sort of hybrid in-term of admission.

Admissions department could hardly answer you about K1 visa stuff. Best to seek out the help from their International Student Department, they can answer better because I am sure they handled cases like this before where people come from another country, entered not with F1 but other visa, however because K1 was non-immigrant so sometimes they had to classify them as international student on file. But when it comes to tuition fee stuff, each state and universities have their own regulations.

May I ask what kind of program and degree are you trying to take now?

P.S. : Just found out that your husband is with the military. Even better, you might be able to get some kind of Veteran tuition fee discount if you got admitted into schools. But I think the main problem with your plan of further study is the relocation. Even if you get admitted into schools in GA on campus, you can't stay committed due to the relocation. Best option would be online campus. You can look at universities at diff states, even in AZ, CA, PA, and more... Websites might guide you to apply via the regular way -> Register a Profile, Submit Application, School will issue you the whatever i-20 or whatever it is so that you can apply for F-1 student via. Don't follow F-1 way, just email their department and tell them you are physically in U.S. legally.

Edited April 7, 2018 by Kirk&Kean

[Loueikun 5]

On 4/5/2018 at 8:09 AM, LatAmerican_Drimr said:

This new method of reporting Processing Times adds more layers of confusion and it is obviously just more convenient to them. The way I see it, they could've just put in there "You are allow to call USCIS if you applied Before Christ Resurrection" or something along the lines....

 

I filed and got receipt in late July,   I am from LA county and the old processing times was March 2017 applicants.   now the new processing time site says November 2015 applicants???

 

we did bio metrics in August,  combo EAD card in October.   I did online inquiry in late December concerned that my interview date might have got lost in mail.  (some are saying the online status sometimes never updates even if interview was scheduled)  and got letter in mail saying no interview has been set yet.

 

I have recently been trying to call for a Tier 2,  but they keep saying no more for the day, even when I call early in the morning.

 

status online is still   "As of September 1, 2017, we are ready to schedule your Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status  etc."

 

The online account for uscis even shows the online inquiry service request and response from December in the case status.  but nothing after that.

 

I might do another online inquiry,  it seems that would pretty much yield same information if I were to do an infopass.   Cause they actually assign an officer to check my service request submitted online and actually mail out a USPS letter with response.