Seattle office - July 2017 AOS from K-1 visa

[PedroDaGr8 245]

2 minutes ago, astroboy3546 said:

Is everyone who is getting their interview notices here from August ? Just trying to get a feel for where they are in the interview process. i am late October so I guess I'll have to wait a bit longer but I am glad to see some traction

 

 

FOr my wife and I, it was Early July and we received our interview notice at the beginning of Nov. At this point, if you are October then possibly in Feb you will receive yours. 

[astroboy3546 2]

15 minutes ago, PedroDaGr8 said:

FOr my wife and I, it was Early July and we received our interview notice at the beginning of Nov. At this point, if you are October then possibly in Feb you will receive yours. 

Thanks, I am estimating more like April but I'll take February  

[PedroDaGr8 245]

As promised, here are the intricate details of the interview. For anyone whom it might help:

 

Arrived at the USCIS office 30 min before our scheduled time, went through security, and got in line at the Triage Desk. Got a number like the DMV and went upstairs to the waiting area. FYI, based on my experience, sit in the waiting area on the right if you can, not the portion on the left by the restrooms. Most interviewers come from doors on the right side and a couple people on the left side didn’t hear their number being called.

 

Our number was not called until around 45 min after our scheduled time. Our interviewer asked us a few basic questions and confirmed our IDs. He then asked for a few basic documents: birth certificate from my wife, passport or birth certificate from me, and a certified copy of our marriage certificate (he also asked if he could keep it). At that time, I also volunteered the certificate and divorce documents from my previous marriage. He said that while he didn’t need them, it was a nice to directly confirm the submitted copies in our case file against the originals. From there, he then put us under oath. His first question comment was “The validity of the relationship was clearly established during the K-1 process, do you have any additional evidence to submit?” Based on my research online, the USCIS seems to use a few different categories of evidence to demonstrate validity; as such, I organized all of my evidence into these categories: commingling of finances, cohabitation, communications, co-mingling of personal lives/pictures. We submitted evidence from each of these categories. Interestingly he only wanted a few pictures stating, “I try not to overwhelm the case file with loads of pictures”. Of the pictures we provided, he focused in particular on ones containing each of us with the others parents and pictures from our parents meeting each other, again asking if he could keep the pictures (we agreed he could). As for other evidence provided, we communicate regularly via Google Hangouts, so I provided a number of chat logs and screenshots from Hangouts showing us communicating regular boring typical relationship stuff. I also included some screen captures showing the sheer number of chats. For finances I provided insurance documents, shared credit cards, utility bills, etc. Lastly, for cohabitation, we provided leases with both names on them and evidence that we both receive mail at the same address (USPS Informed Delivery). For commingling of lives, besides the pictures, we also provided a bunch of FB posts where my wife tagged me. Once this was complete, he asked some more basic questions: why did I split from my previous wife, how we first met, he asked my wife what is the name of a close friend of mine who lives here, etc. As we finished up, he asked if there was anything else we wanted to provide. When I asked if he wanted my current tax return, he stated it was not necessary as the financial evidence was more than enough. Additionally, my wife did not need to provide anything related to vaccination or medical exam.

 

When finished, we were not told whether we were approved or not. He gave us a sheet indicating that USCIS was issuing a continuance for additional processing. Frustratingly, this sheet had been printed out before the interview started. He stated that this is pretty much standard right now and that they had all of the documents needed at this time. If they discovered a document was missing they would issue an RFE. He said from there, if approved then we would be notified via mail and in the unlikely event we are denied, the letter would inform us on how to appeal. Furthermore, the continuation gave them up to 120 days to render a verdict. He said truthfully it is seldom that long, but that sometimes they do need that entire time. I was a bit crestfallen at this news, as being on hold indefinitely sucks. I asked him how things went and he stated “Honestly, this was a very basic and straightforward interview”. I interpreted that as either a very good thing or very bad thing. We were rather blah about it afterwards, more worried about the wait. Turns out this wasn’t necessary! Last-night, about 13 hours after the interview, between 12:50am and 1:30am we received no less than SEVEN SMS messages letting us know that our case status has been updated. Checked on egov.uscis.com and sure enough we were approved! The status now states “New Card is Being Produced” I expect the “Welcome to America” Letter to come in the next week, with the card a few days behind it.

Edited December 12, 2018 by PedroDaGr8

[Rhemalove 26]

7 hours ago, astroboy3546 said:

Is everyone who is getting their interview notices here from August ? Just trying to get a feel for where they are in the interview process. i am late October so I guess I'll have to wait a bit longer but I am glad to see some traction

 

 

End of July

[KimchiLumpia 315]

8 hours ago, PedroDaGr8 said:

As promised, here are the intricate details of the interview. For anyone whom it might help:

 

Arrived at the USCIS office 30 min before our scheduled time, went through security, and got in line at the Triage Desk. Got a number like the DMV and went upstairs to the waiting area. FYI, based on my experience, sit in the waiting area on the right if you can, not the portion on the left by the restrooms. Most interviewers come from doors on the right side and a couple people on the left side didn’t hear their number being called.

 

Our number was not called until around 45 min after our scheduled time. Our interviewer asked us a few basic questions and confirmed our IDs. He then asked for a few basic documents: birth certificate from my wife, passport or birth certificate from me, and a certified copy of our marriage certificate (he also asked if he could keep it). At that time, I also volunteered the certificate and divorce documents from my previous marriage. He said that while he didn’t need them, it was a nice to directly confirm the submitted copies in our case file against the originals. From there, he then put us under oath. His first question comment was “The validity of the relationship was clearly established during the K-1 process, do you have any additional evidence to submit?” Based on my research online, the USCIS seems to use a few different categories of evidence to demonstrate validity; as such, I organized all of my evidence into these categories: commingling of finances, cohabitation, communications, co-mingling of personal lives/pictures. We submitted evidence from each of these categories. Interestingly he only wanted a few pictures stating, “I try not to overwhelm the case file with loads of pictures”. Of the pictures we provided, he focused in particular on ones containing each of us with the others parents and pictures from our parents meeting each other, again asking if he could keep the pictures (we agreed he could). As for other evidence provided, we communicate regularly via Google Hangouts, so I provided a number of chat logs and screenshots from Hangouts showing us communicating regular boring typical relationship stuff. I also included some screen captures showing the sheer number of chats. For finances I provided insurance documents, shared credit cards, utility bills, etc. Lastly, for cohabitation, we provided leases with both names on them and evidence that we both receive mail at the same address (USPS Informed Delivery). For commingling of lives, besides the pictures, we also provided a bunch of FB posts where my wife tagged me. Once this was complete, he asked some more basic questions: why did I split from my previous wife, how we first met, he asked my wife what is the name of a close friend of mine who lives here, etc. As we finished up, he asked if there was anything else we wanted to provide. When I asked if he wanted my current tax return, he stated it was not necessary as the financial evidence was more than enough. Additionally, my wife did not need to provide anything related to vaccination or medical exam.

 

When finished, we were not told whether we were approved or not. He gave us a sheet indicating that USCIS was issuing a continuance for additional processing. Frustratingly, this sheet had been printed out before the interview started. He stated that this is pretty much standard right now and that they had all of the documents needed at this time. If they discovered a document was missing they would issue an RFE. He said from there, if approved then we would be notified via mail and in the unlikely event we are denied, the letter would inform us on how to appeal. Furthermore, the continuation gave them up to 120 days to render a verdict. He said truthfully it is seldom that long, but that sometimes they do need that entire time. I was a bit crestfallen at this news, as being on hold indefinitely sucks. I asked him how things went and he stated “Honestly, this was a very basic and straightforward interview”. I interpreted that as either a very good thing or very bad thing. We were rather blah about it afterwards, more worried about the wait. Turns out this wasn’t necessary! Last-night, about 13 hours after the interview, between 12:50am and 1:30am we received no less than SEVEN SMS messages letting us know that our case status has been updated. Checked on egov.uscis.com and sure enough we were approved! The status now states “New Card is Being Produced” I expect the “Welcome to America” Letter to come in the next week, with the card a few days behind it.

 

8 hours ago, PedroDaGr8 said:

As promised, here are the intricate details of the interview. For anyone whom it might help:

 

Arrived at the USCIS office 30 min before our scheduled time, went through security, and got in line at the Triage Desk. Got a number like the DMV and went upstairs to the waiting area. FYI, based on my experience, sit in the waiting area on the right if you can, not the portion on the left by the restrooms. Most interviewers come from doors on the right side and a couple people on the left side didn’t hear their number being called.

 

Our number was not called until around 45 min after our scheduled time. Our interviewer asked us a few basic questions and confirmed our IDs. He then asked for a few basic documents: birth certificate from my wife, passport or birth certificate from me, and a certified copy of our marriage certificate (he also asked if he could keep it). At that time, I also volunteered the certificate and divorce documents from my previous marriage. He said that while he didn’t need them, it was a nice to directly confirm the submitted copies in our case file against the originals. From there, he then put us under oath. His first question comment was “The validity of the relationship was clearly established during the K-1 process, do you have any additional evidence to submit?” Based on my research online, the USCIS seems to use a few different categories of evidence to demonstrate validity; as such, I organized all of my evidence into these categories: commingling of finances, cohabitation, communications, co-mingling of personal lives/pictures. We submitted evidence from each of these categories. Interestingly he only wanted a few pictures stating, “I try not to overwhelm the case file with loads of pictures”. Of the pictures we provided, he focused in particular on ones containing each of us with the others parents and pictures from our parents meeting each other, again asking if he could keep the pictures (we agreed he could). As for other evidence provided, we communicate regularly via Google Hangouts, so I provided a number of chat logs and screenshots from Hangouts showing us communicating regular boring typical relationship stuff. I also included some screen captures showing the sheer number of chats. For finances I provided insurance documents, shared credit cards, utility bills, etc. Lastly, for cohabitation, we provided leases with both names on them and evidence that we both receive mail at the same address (USPS Informed Delivery). For commingling of lives, besides the pictures, we also provided a bunch of FB posts where my wife tagged me. Once this was complete, he asked some more basic questions: why did I split from my previous wife, how we first met, he asked my wife what is the name of a close friend of mine who lives here, etc. As we finished up, he asked if there was anything else we wanted to provide. When I asked if he wanted my current tax return, he stated it was not necessary as the financial evidence was more than enough. Additionally, my wife did not need to provide anything related to vaccination or medical exam.

 

When finished, we were not told whether we were approved or not. He gave us a sheet indicating that USCIS was issuing a continuance for additional processing. Frustratingly, this sheet had been printed out before the interview started. He stated that this is pretty much standard right now and that they had all of the documents needed at this time. If they discovered a document was missing they would issue an RFE. He said from there, if approved then we would be notified via mail and in the unlikely event we are denied, the letter would inform us on how to appeal. Furthermore, the continuation gave them up to 120 days to render a verdict. He said truthfully it is seldom that long, but that sometimes they do need that entire time. I was a bit crestfallen at this news, as being on hold indefinitely sucks. I asked him how things went and he stated “Honestly, this was a very basic and straightforward interview”. I interpreted that as either a very good thing or very bad thing. We were rather blah about it afterwards, more worried about the wait. Turns out this wasn’t necessary! Last-night, about 13 hours after the interview, between 12:50am and 1:30am we received no less than SEVEN SMS messages letting us know that our case status has been updated. Checked on egov.uscis.com and sure enough we were approved! The status now states “New Card is Being Produced” I expect the “Welcome to America” Letter to come in the next week, with the card a few days behind it.

Thank you for writing of your interview experience.  Good to read that you got your approval w/o having to wait too long.  

 

[V&L 1]

On 12/12/2018 at 12:30 PM, astroboy3546 said:

Is everyone who is getting their interview notices here from August ? Just trying to get a feel for where they are in the interview process. i am late October so I guess I'll have to wait a bit longer but I am glad to see some traction

 

 

Our app date is August 14, and we received notice Tuesday that our interview is scheduled for January 9th.

Your time is coming!

[V&L 1]

Sorry if this is an obvious question, but I'm having a little trouble finding a recent answer.

 

Our medical exam has expired. Are there any automatic extensions right now like with the EADs due to long processing times, or do we definitely need a new one?

It's frustrating because we could have delayed sending the form, but processing times were 6-8 months when we applied. XP 

 

I'd just like to confirm before we schedule another expensive exam.

 

Thanks!

[KimchiLumpia 315]

52 minutes ago, V&L said:

Sorry if this is an obvious question, but I'm having a little trouble finding a recent answer.

 

Our medical exam has expired. Are there any automatic extensions right now like with the EADs due to long processing times, or do we definitely need a new one?

It's frustrating because we could have delayed sending the form, but processing times were 6-8 months when we applied. XP 

 

I'd just like to confirm before we schedule another expensive exam.

 

Thanks!

According to other VJ members, the medical examination is now good for 2 years from the date your civil surgeon signed the form:
https://www.uscis.gov/policymanual/Updates/20181016-I-693Validity.pdf
 

My interview isn't until next month, so perhaps someone on VJ that has had their interview in Seattle can confirm this with everyone.

 

[V&L 1]

1 hour ago, KimchiLumpia said:

According to other VJ members, the medical examination is now good for 2 years from the date your civil surgeon signed the form:
https://www.uscis.gov/policymanual/Updates/20181016-I-693Validity.pdf
 

My interview isn't until next month, so perhaps someone on VJ that has had their interview in Seattle can confirm this with everyone.

 

Thank you! I thought I saw this somewhere but couldn't find it. 

Our lawyer was telling us we need a new exam (but she's not very good and honestly I wish we didn't waste the money).

I'll send the policy letter and see what she says. 

 

If someone who has had their interview can confirm, that would be great. 

[astroboy3545 59]

8 hours ago, V&L said:

Sorry if this is an obvious question, but I'm having a little trouble finding a recent answer.

 

Our medical exam has expired. Are there any automatic extensions right now like with the EADs due to long processing times, or do we definitely need a new one?

It's frustrating because we could have delayed sending the form, but processing times were 6-8 months when we applied. XP 

 

I'd just like to confirm before we schedule another expensive exam.

 

Thanks!

So the answer to that is that it depends

 

USCIS has a new rule (this link - https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-policy-manual-update ) that your medical exams are now valid for 2 years provided the civil surgeon has signed the I-693 (the medical form). 

 

No more than 60 days before underlying benefit application filed with USCIS

 

Hope this helps. 

 

That said whom do you plan to go to, i am not sure when I will get my interview so I like to have a list of doctors I can reach out if I need a new medical?

 

[Rhemalove 26]

On 12/12/2018 at 12:33 PM, PedroDaGr8 said:

FOr my wife and I, it was Early July and we received our interview notice at the beginning of Nov. At this point, if you are October then possibly in Feb you will receive yours. 

Were you allowed to bring your phone into the building and to the waiting area for the interview? Also do the parking meters at the Seattle office still only take cash?

[PedroDaGr8 245]

1 hour ago, Rhemalove said:

Were you allowed to bring your phone into the building and to the waiting area for the interview? Also do the parking meters at the Seattle office still only take cash?

Yes, I brought my phone into the building. That being said, if you have your phone with you, the interviewer is allowed to search it for evidence. That didn't happen for me, but it is a risk that you should evaluate.

I brought cash for parking, so I am not sure on that. 

 

 

[Rhemalove 26]

1 hour ago, PedroDaGr8 said:

Yes, I brought my phone into the building. That being said, if you have your phone with you, the interviewer is allowed to search it for evidence. That didn't happen for me, but it is a risk that you should evaluate.

I brought cash for parking, so I am not sure on that. 

 

 

Thanks for the heads up on phone information!  I seem to remember when doing Biometrics that parking machines took only cash.  

[PedroDaGr8 245]

FYI, we received the tracking number for my wife's GC yesterday. Seems the turn around after approval is pretty quick!

[Andsco 89]

Hello everone!

We had our interview this morning and everything went smoothly. They did also give us the paper that PedroDaGr8 got (that says about further check or so) but literally 3 hours later we got an email and sms saying that our card is being produced. 

Any idea how long it takes until they mail the card? 

Thank you!