What now?? Advice please

[J/G 85]

Dear Kind VJ Users --

 

I entered the US with K1 and soon married and now I've finally submitted my AOS, EAD, AP. What a process.... 

 

So what do I do now?? Is there anything I  should do / prepare / expect regarding my application??

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 

 

THANK YOU

J/G

 

[PedroDaGr8 247]

Start combining finances and gathering evidence to show cohabitation and an intertwined life. Do things like putting both spouses name on the main bank account, shared credit cards, shared lease (if you rent), shared insurance, both names on utility bills, etc. Basically, anything that can show a commingling of finances and lives together. Start collecting pictures to show a life together, these are important evidence along with the financial and other life related stuff. Also, did the immigrant get their SSN? If the immigrant has more than 2 weeks lefft on the I-94, then they should do this. Otherwise, they will have to wait until their EAD is received. 

[J/G 85]

Just now, PedroDaGr8 said:

Start combining finances and gathering evidence to show cohabitation and an intertwined life. Do things like putting both spouses name on the main bank account, shared credit cards, shared lease (if you rent), shared insurance, both names on utility bills, etc. Basically, anything that can show a commingling of finances and lives together. Start collecting pictures to show a life together, these are important evidence along with the financial and other life related stuff. Also, did the immigrant get their SSN? If the immigrant has more than 2 weeks lefft on the I-94, then they should do this. Otherwise, they will have to wait until their EAD is received. 

Hello PedroDaGr8 --

 

First of all, THANK YOU. 

 

Second of all, are you related to the Alexander the Gr8??

 

Third of all, thank you for your tips regarding preparing the the evidence of cohabitation. The Immigrant have already obtained his SSN so no worries. I actually enjoy referring myself as 'The Immigrant'. From this point on The Immigrant will incorporate this in his daily life. 

 

The Immigrant thank thee kind Sir / Madam.

 

J/G

[J/G 85]

Follow up question:

 

Is there any website, similar to the USCIS website, where I should register and able to monitor the progress / process of my application (AOS/EAD/AP)?

 

THANK YOU.

[PedroDaGr8 247]

 

9 minutes ago, J/G said:

Hello PedroDaGr8 --

 

First of all, THANK YOU. 

 

Second of all, are you related to the Alexander the Gr8??

 

Third of all, thank you for your tips regarding preparing the the evidence of cohabitation. The Immigrant have already obtained his SSN so no worries. I actually enjoy referring myself as 'The Immigrant'. From this point on The Immigrant will incorporate this in his daily life. 

 

The Immigrant thank thee kind Sir / Madam.

 

J/G

You are quite welcome. Oddly enough, you are one of the very few who realized that Gr8 = Great! Most people try to split the 8 off from the rest. As for being related to AtGr8, considering his proclivity for spreading his seed, I would say even though my ancestory is German/Irish, there is still a chance!

 The immigrant made me actually laugh, I have had a few people take offense to me implying that they are the immigrant (I don't understand why) so I have tried to not assume, though in all fairness I usually forget. 

Just now, J/G said:

Follow up question:

 

Is there any website, similar to the USCIS website, where I should register and able to monitor the progress / process of my application (AOS/EAD/AP)?

 

THANK YOU.

So far I have not found any that are more useful than the USCIS website. There is an iPhone app that is supposed to be good because it allows you to track cases near yours. In reality, it is not that useful because once your case leaves the NBC, then it is entirely dependent on your local office. Plus, I tried a similar app for android and while it worked, it also signed up my email for loads and loads of spam. As in, I went from 1-2 spam message a day to around 50-70 a day (thankfully all in the spam folder). I have found joining one of the monthly filer groups in the case progress section to be much much more helpful. Plus you can check the months around yours to look for people with the same local office and see how theirs is going. More leg work, but much more real information. 

[J/G 85]

Quote

You are quite welcome. Oddly enough, you are one of the very few who realized that Gr8 = Great! Most people try to split the 8 off from the rest. As for being related to AtGr8, considering his proclivity for spreading his seed, I would say even though my ancestory is German/Irish, there is still a chance!

Being a Millennial and accepting (and being at peace with) the fact that Avril Lavigne's SK8R BOY was a thing at some point of my lifetime allow me to see and read between the line. The GR8-ness in me salute the GR8-ness in you and to quote the GR8 Shakespeare, "Did spread thy seeds far and wide, but doth it with consent and always weareth protection" You're welcome.

 

Quote

The immigrant made me actually laugh, I have had a few people take offense to me implying that they are the immigrant (I don't understand why) so I have tried to not assume, though in all fairness I usually forget.

I have a very off-beat and macabre sense of humour. And I enjoy poking fun at myself. 

 

Quote

So far I have not found any that are more useful than the USCIS website. There is an iPhone app that is supposed to be good because it allows you to track cases near yours. In reality, it is not that useful because once your case leaves the NBC, then it is entirely dependent on your local office. Plus, I tried a similar app for android and while it worked, it also signed up my email for loads and loads of spam. As in, I went from 1-2 spam message a day to around 50-70 a day (thankfully all in the spam folder). I have found joining one of the monthly filer groups in the case progress section to be much much more helpful. Plus you can check the months around yours to look for people with the same local office and see how theirs is going. More leg work, but much more real information.

Yeah, I am not at all incline in using third party app / website in relation to my applications, I have a thing about identity theft / having people contacting me for unsolicited services.

You wrote, "So far I have not found any that are more useful than the USCIS website." does this mean that I can monitor my AOS using my account (and WAC number) in USCIS website?? Or basically at this point I'm just playing the waiting game? 

 

THANK YOU.

J/G

[PedroDaGr8 247]

4 minutes ago, J/G said:

Being a Millennial and accepting (and being at peace with) the fact that Avril Lavigne's SK8R BOY was a thing at some point of my lifetime allow me to see and read between the line. The GR8-ness in me salute the GR8-ness in you and to quote the GR8 Shakespeare, "Did spread thy seeds far and wide, but doth it with consent and always weareth protection" You're welcome.

 

I have a very off-beat and macabre sense of humour. And I enjoy poking fun at myself. 

 

Yeah, I am not at all incline in using third party app / website in relation to my applications, I have a thing about identity theft / having people contacting me for unsolicited services.

You wrote, "So far I have not found any that are more useful than the USCIS website." does this mean that I can monitor my AOS using my account (and WAC number) in USCIS website?? Or basically at this point I'm just playing the waiting game? 

 

THANK YOU.

J/G

Nothing wrong with being a millenial, depending on who is doing the defining I am either a Gen X or a Millennial. I embrace the Millennial more because I don't have the nihlistic self-absorbed view that defined the Gen X generation, plus I grew up on the internet and phone. I share your sense of humor, dark and sarcastic describes mine well.

 

OK long winded posting time: 

 

Yes, you can monitor your AOS once you get the NOA1. The WAC receipt number was for your K1, you will be given a new case number which usually starts with MSC (Missouri Service Center aka National Benefits Center). You can then use these to track your case online as USCIS,gov, when the website works. It has been flaky recently with updates sometimes taking a couple of weeks to appear. You can sign up for an account and login there to see if there are any changes. Truthfully, for the I-485 there usually isn't much until your interview is scheduled (which can take up to a year). The EAD and AP will be updated when they are finished processing though, so it is nice to see that.

 

Did you fill out the G1145 e-notification form? If so, you will receive an SMS and/or emails first including your new receipt number, then about 7-10 days later you will receive your NOA1s in the mail. Checking your timeline, you mailed it out on Aug 9. If they received it this weekend, you should receive the email/sms either mid-late this week or early next week. Then receive the paper copies somewhere around Aug 28-September 5. From there, you will wait for your biometrics appointment to be scheduled, which you should receive the letter one-two weeks after your receive your paper NOA1. There will be no update on the website for this, the letter will just show up in the mail.  When you get the form, make sure it says for I-485 and I-765 under request type (used to be always the case, recently they have been splitting them for some unknown reason). If they split them, try to combine them at the service center to save you from having to go twice. Bring your NOA1's with you, explain what is going on and ask if you can do both sets while you are there, rather than come back again. Some people have had good luck with this. There is often no update after biometrics are complete. It just says Fingerprint Fee Received, then you wait for your interview (if you have one). Sometimes it will say waiting for interview, this is no different than fingerprint fee received, it still means you just wait for your interview. In the meantime, your EAD and AP keep processing, currently they are running around 100-120 days. Keep track of them and don't hesitate to file a service request if they get past the 90 day limit. There is a big backlog for AoS right now it seems, so things are messy. The fee spike (which resulted in a huge application spike), the changing of all the forms, politics, etc. are all causing small but cascading cumulative affects on the end results. 

[J/G 85]

Quote

Yes, you can monitor your AOS once you get the NOA1. The WAC receipt number was for your K1, you will be given a new case number which usually starts with MSC (Missouri Service Center aka National Benefits Center). You can then use these to track your case online as USCIS,gov, when the website works. It has been flaky recently with updates sometimes taking a couple of weeks to appear. You can sign up for an account and login there to see if there are any changes. Truthfully, for the I-485 there usually isn't much until your interview is scheduled (which can take up to a year). The EAD and AP will be updated when they are finished processing though, so it is nice to see that.

Noted. THANK YOU. 

 

Quote

Did you fill out the G1145 e-notification form? If so, you will receive an SMS and/or emails first including your new receipt number, then about 7-10 days later you will receive your NOA1s in the mail.

Yes, the G1145 was included in each of my AOS, EAD, and AP application pack. I'll be waiting for the e-notification. 

 

Quote

Checking your timeline, you mailed it out on Aug 9. If they received it this weekend, you should receive the email/sms either mid-late this week or early next week. Then receive the paper copies somewhere around Aug 28-September 5. From there, you will wait for your biometrics appointment to be scheduled, which you should receive the letter one-two weeks after your receive your paper NOA1. There will be no update on the website for this, the letter will just show up in the mail.  When you get the form, make sure it says for I-485 and I-765 under request type (used to be always the case, recently they have been splitting them for some unknown reason). If they split them, try to combine them at the service center to save you from having to go twice. Bring your NOA1's with you, explain what is going on and ask if you can do both sets while you are there, rather than come back again. Some people have had good luck with this. There is often no update after biometrics are complete. It just says Fingerprint Fee Received, then you wait for your interview (if you have one). Sometimes it will say waiting for interview, this is no different than fingerprint fee received, it still means you just wait for your interview. In the meantime, your EAD and AP keep processing, currently they are running around 100-120 days. Keep track of them and don't hesitate to file a service request if they get past the 90 day limit. There is a big backlog for AoS right now it seems, so things are messy. The fee spike (which resulted in a huge application spike), the changing of all the forms, politics, etc. are all causing small but cascading cumulative affects on the end results.

After reading this I, The Immigrant, feel the need to have a glass of wine and then take a nap.  

 

THANK YOU, you're very helpful and informative. I appreciate this.

 

THANK YOU, AGAIN. 

 

Best, 

J/G