Minneapolis-St. Paul MN Office AOS Filers

[USC4SPOUSE 506]

19 hours ago, WhatLoveBuys said:

Hey guys,

 

We just received the I-797C's for our I-130/I-485 w/ I-765 and I-131 on October 2nd, 3rd time sending them in was the charm! (1st time they were sent back for a freshly expired form; 2nd time they said there was an issue with the payment [even though they put a hold on the money in my account for the I-130 and the I-485]).

It's been a long journey already thus far - any words of encouragement for the waiting game that we're now in?

 

Thanks!

Forgot to mention that you should be able to get a driver's license with your I-485 pending I-797 Notice of Action. The DMV is not as crowded in the Fall/winter as it is in the Summer. 

[AA&S 10]

Hi there, i  got an update that my Case is Ready to be Scheduled for An interview. on 12 October 2018.

Anyone knows what the amount of time that i have to wait before i get an interview @ minneapolis / Saint Paul office ?

 

I know that it takes long and im a May 2018 filer .

EAD/AP receive in start of October.

 

Thanks

[natsusnowy1204 24]

2 hours ago, Amar & Aimee said:

Hi there, i  got an update that my Case is Ready to be Scheduled for An interview. on 12 October 2018.

Anyone knows what the amount of time that i have to wait before i get an interview @ minneapolis / Saint Paul office ?

 

I know that it takes long and im a May 2018 filer .

EAD/AP receive in start of October.

 

Thanks

Mine didn’t change until 1 year later 

[natsusnowy1204 24]

File sent date: 09/18

file received date : 09/21

1st txt notice : 09/26

1st Mail Aos: 10/02

bio mail notice: 10/06

bio date:10/13 ( walk- in) 

Interview is ready to scheduled notice: 10/27

Interview was scheduled online : 08/30/18

Received Interview letter : 09/10/18

Interview date: 10/09/18

They sent the letter to my old address even I already changed it online .

I changed my flight ticket since I was at abroad. 

I recommand people should check the parking fee before you park the car. It cost us $36 for 2hrs parking where is nearby the interview place .  But there’s another parking next to us which will only cost $20!

The staffs working at the interview place are very friendly, thanks god  the interview went though very smoothly! They asked us some questions about each other’s family and lot “yes” “no” questions.

BTW, I did my medical exam on July 2017, but the officer didn’t ask me to submit a new one on the interview. 

We did submit a new W2 for this year.

10/10/18 my case was approved 

10/12/18 they mailed me the green card 

so for my case, it took me 12.5 months to go though all the process. As I know It’s still a little faster than another cases. 

God bless! 

 

[WhatLoveBuys 10]

On 10/8/2018 at 11:37 AM, USC4SPOUSE said:

Third time is the charm! As you may already know, the Minneapolis Field Office does take at least a year to schedule your interview. Right now, the processing time for Family Based AOS is 14.5 months (50% of cases) to 24.5 months (93% of cases ). Some people have been scheduled right at the one year mark. Someone recently reported that the Field Office hired more staff and that they're starting to catch up. The midterm elections are coming up in November, and naturalization cases are usually given priority at most field offices!

Your next step is the biometrics appointment. It should arrive in the mail soon. It is OK to do an early walk-in. You would just bring the appointment letter with you, and walk-in. The clerk at the front desk only checked that the name on the letter and passport both matched. In & out in 30 to 45 minutes. If you have a common name - say John Smith-, include your middle name. That will help the adjudicator sort through all the names that come up as a result of your background check. 

The EAD/AP is taking a good 4 months. We got it in 157 days. Bear in mind that it is OK to start applying for jobs, and then request to expedite processing of your EAD. By law, employers may not ask you to furnish evidence of employment authorization until AFTER you are hired. You first have to go through background checks, drug testing, etc. On your first day work you will show your EAD. So you would expedite as soon as you get the job offer. Make sure that you communicate via email with recruiters and that you have proof of the job offer. An email offering you the job is proof. 

You would call USCIS to expedite both the I-765 & I-131. Unless you do that, you won't get the combo card. However, you would only provide evidence for the I-765. I always tell folks to enlist the help of your Senator. As soon as you get off the phone with USCIS, you can reach out to your Senator and ask them to inquire on your expedite request. Approval of the EAD/AP is entirely dependent upon clearance of your background checks. 

Other than that, live life. Focus on your loved ones and not so much on the process - all while diligently gathering evidence of bona fide marriage. By the way, evidence of bona fide marriage starts from the date that you two met or started dating. Often times, folks only present evidence since the date of the marriage. That may look to some like you met on Monday, got married on Tuesday and filed for AOS on Wednesday. 

 

 

Thank you so much for the information!

Do you know, by chance - when we're seeking Job Offer letters what type of information the letter needs to contain (other than the date, company, position, applicant's full name, etc). Is there any indication on how quickly the expedited EAD/AP arrives?  We have multiple companies willing to write the Job Offer letter, but it helps to keep them informed. Will he receive a SSN at that time as well (to be able to open a bank account, for example)? We submitted his Police Clearances as well with the I-765.

We submitted photos, letters from while we were dating, me visiting him/his family in South Africa, him at family gatherings here in the US, our facebook posts when we got engaged, married, pregnancy announcements, etc, etc. Hopefully enough submitted initially to not have to worry about an RFE or denial on that front!

I'm really hoping that the Minneapolis Field Office starts picking up the pace a little bit - more bodies would definitely help! It's a long wait, but getting the EAD will help us as a family immensely. 

[USC4SPOUSE 506]

17 hours ago, WhatLoveBuys said:

Thank you so much for the information!

Do you know, by chance - when we're seeking Job Offer letters what type of information the letter needs to contain (other than the date, company, position, applicant's full name, etc). Is there any indication on how quickly the expedited EAD/AP arrives?  We have multiple companies willing to write the Job Offer letter, but it helps to keep them informed. Will he receive a SSN at that time as well (to be able to open a bank account, for example)? We submitted his Police Clearances as well with the I-765.

We submitted photos, letters from while we were dating, me visiting him/his family in South Africa, him at family gatherings here in the US, our facebook posts when we got engaged, married, pregnancy announcements, etc, etc. Hopefully enough submitted initially to not have to worry about an RFE or denial on that front!

I'm really hoping that the Minneapolis Field Office starts picking up the pace a little bit - more bodies would definitely help! It's a long wait, but getting the EAD will help us as a family immensely. 

I would say the job offer letter can just be a standard letter. If it's addressed to USCIS, that may make it more credible and save the adjudicator some time. I imagine they probably call and verify these letters are real.

 

Some companies may be apprehensive about furnishing a job offer letter because they also have to add that it is "at will" employment and that in no way the letter means that the position is a contract, etc. 

 

I know from a reliable source that someone adjusting from F-1 (student) with a PD of 12-07-17 was just scheduled for an interview in mid-November. It seems like they're picking up the pace, but it also seems like there is no real order in the queue. I know of others with a PD as early as 07-2017 who still have not been interview. 

 

Your husband may also get his driver's license with the I-797 Notice of action that he received for the I-485. If one DMV gives him a hard time, then try another location.

 

You do not need EAD or social to open a joint bank account. All you need is a valid passport. You want to get the joint bank account as soon as possible. USCIS is old school and they like to see joint finances. You want to be able to show that both of you use the account. It's happened that people show up with accounts that have no signs of movement and then they get a NOID for it (Notice of Intent to deny). Your best bet is to walk into a branch to set it up. They won't do it for you online. 

 

All the best,

 

USC4SPOUSE

[WhatLoveBuys 10]

2 hours ago, USC4SPOUSE said:

I would say the job offer letter can just be a standard letter. If it's addressed to USCIS, that may make it more credible and save the adjudicator some time. I imagine they probably call and verify these letters are real.

 

Some companies may be apprehensive about furnishing a job offer letter because they also have to add that it is "at will" employment and that in no way the letter means that the position is a contract, etc. 

 

I know from a reliable source that someone adjusting from F-1 (student) with a PD of 12-07-17 was just scheduled for an interview in mid-November. It seems like they're picking up the pace, but it also seems like there is no real order in the queue. I know of others with a PD as early as 07-2017 who still have not been interview. 

 

Your husband may also get his driver's license with the I-797 Notice of action that he received for the I-485. If one DMV gives him a hard time, then try another location.

 

You do not need EAD or social to open a joint bank account. All you need is a valid passport. You want to get the joint bank account as soon as possible. USCIS is old school and they like to see joint finances. You want to be able to show that both of you use the account. It's happened that people show up with accounts that have no signs of movement and then they get a NOID for it (Notice of Intent to deny). Your best bet is to walk into a branch to set it up. They won't do it for you online. 

 

All the best,

 

USC4SPOUSE

My bank will not create an account or add anyone to an account without a SSN - I have a letter from them stating this with information about our appointment and denial to add my husband to my account. But he is an authorized user on all of my credit card accounts.

[USC4SPOUSE 506]

42 minutes ago, WhatLoveBuys said:

My bank will not create an account or add anyone to an account without a SSN - I have a letter from them stating this with information about our appointment and denial to add my husband to my account. But he is an authorized user on all of my credit card accounts.

Every bank is different. You may or may not try a different bank. That is entirely up to you. 🙂

Edited October 18, 2018 by USC4SPOUSE

[natsusnowy1204 24]

5 hours ago, WhatLoveBuys said:

My bank will not create an account or add anyone to an account without a SSN - I have a letter from them stating this with information about our appointment and denial to add my husband to my account. But he is an authorized user on all of my credit card accounts.

Maybe try Wells Fargo 

[USC4SPOUSE 506]

On 10/18/2018 at 9:22 PM, natsusnowy1204 said:

Maybe try Wells Fargo 

Good idea. When there is a will to show evidence of financial commingling, there is a way. I know for a fact that Bank of America has no issues with opening a bank account for someone who does not have a SSN IF you walk-in to the branch. They won't do it online. 

[mysticdolphin95 431]

7 hours ago, USC4SPOUSE said:

Good idea. When there is a will to show evidence of financial commingling, there is a way. I know for a fact that Bank of America has no issues with opening a bank account for someone who does not have a SSN IF you walk-in to the branch. They won't do it online. 

Wells Fargo will open an account for those without an SSN; my husband was able to bank there right when he arrived.  However, I'm with Wings Financial and I wasn't allowed to add my husband as a joint account holder - he can't open or be on an account without a green card.

[USC4SPOUSE 506]

2 hours ago, mysticdolphin95 said:

Wells Fargo will open an account for those without an SSN; my husband was able to bank there right when he arrived.  However, I'm with Wings Financial and I wasn't allowed to add my husband as a joint account holder - he can't open or be on an account without a green card.

Thank you for confirming that. It's good to know that in Minneapolis-St Paul, folks have two options at the very least - Wells Fargo and Bank of America. 

I want to say that US Bank might but I am not sure. 

 

By the way, was your husband able to extend the Driver's license with the combo card? The best time to go to that DMV on Lake St & Chicago is right before it closes on Fridays. Show up around 5pm and they will help you right away. 

Edited October 22, 2018 by USC4SPOUSE

[Colorred 30]

Hi all, 

does update after biometrics depend on which state you’re from or status can change to ready to schedule interview even when the local office is super slow like MN? 

 

Or is this dependent on previous status? I noticed on the forum with K1 filers who filed same time as me (I’m an F1 student) we got NOAs, biometrics appointment same time(+/- 1day); they already got status updates saying ready for scheduling interview. Mine hasn’t even updated since case was received August 31.  

Anyone know how the status updates work? 

[USC4SPOUSE 506]

1 hour ago, Colorred said:

Hi all, 

does update after biometrics depend on which state you’re from or status can change to ready to schedule interview even when the local office is super slow like MN? 

 

Or is this dependent on previous status? I noticed on the forum with K1 filers who filed same time as me (I’m an F1 student) we got NOAs, biometrics appointment same time(+/- 1day); they already got status updates saying ready for scheduling interview. Mine hasn’t even updated since case was received August 31.  

Anyone know how the status updates work? 

Most cases move at about the same speed up until they reach the "case is ready to be scheduled" stage. Once you get to that point, you are at the mercy of your field office. 

Remember that the k-1/CR-1 process is the path that USCIS prefers you take to immigrate to the US. Those applicants have already been vetted by a consular officer at a US Embassy. Hence, it makes sense that they move a little faster than other AOS petitions. Interviews for k-1 applicants used to be waived. They're really only required to submit a marriage certificate as evidence of bona fide marriage with their AOS petitions. Again, it makes sense that those applications may be processed faster. 

Even though k-1 AOS applications now require an in-person interview, these interviews are a formality for the most part. 

 

I would say hang in there. While the Minneapolis Field office has hired additional staff and has been moving more quickly, it may still be a while before they're able to interview folks within 6 months of filing for AOS. That used to be the case before the Minneapolis Field office started serving North Dakota, South Dakota, and part of Wisconsin. 

 

 

[Colorred 30]

1 hour ago, USC4SPOUSE said:

Most cases move at about the same speed up until they reach the "case is ready to be scheduled" stage. Once you get to that point, you are at the mercy of your field office. 

Remember that the k-1/CR-1 process is the path that USCIS prefers you take to immigrate to the US. Those applicants have already been vetted by a consular officer at a US Embassy. Hence, it makes sense that they move a little faster than other AOS petitions. Interviews for k-1 applicants used to be waived. They're really only required to submit a marriage certificate as evidence of bona fide marriage with their AOS petitions. Again, it makes sense that those applications may be processed faster. 

Even though k-1 AOS applications now require an in-person interview, these interviews are a formality for the most part. 

 

I would say hang in there. While the Minneapolis Field office has hired additional staff and has been moving more quickly, it may still be a while before they're able to interview folks within 6 months of filing for AOS. That used to be the case before the Minneapolis Field office started serving North Dakota, South Dakota, and part of Wisconsin. 

 

 

That makes sense, makes me feel a little better understanding some of the logic to this process. 

I bet elections coming round the corner chances priority for processing to those waiting for naturalization. But that’s great news about the new hires, looking forward to faster processing  

 

thanks for your response 

another, side question, I have my current drivers license in my maiden name I want to update my last name to my married name, do you know or does anyone know if I can still use my I-20 to renew it (valid til 2020) or do I have to wait to get EAD to update my lastname on my drivers license