MAY 2018 AOS Filers

[Tella&T 188]

30 minutes ago, PollyC said:

 

if we want to expedite EAD we need to have a job offer right?

I wish I had saved some links with people describing it but couldn't find them now. But yes, most people I've read about had a job offer and the employer was willing to write a letter ( that was EAD based on the financial loss to the employer I believe). I've found an external link that describes the process. It sounded like what I had read about on the forums.

https://mypathtocitizenship.com/ead-expedite-process-getting-work-authorization-faster/

[PollyC 119]

1 minute ago, Martella&T said:

I wish I had saved some links with people describing it but couldn't find them now. But yes, most people I've read about had a job offer and the employer was willing to write a letter ( that was EAD based on the financial loss to the employer I believe). I've found an external link that describes the process. It sounded like what I had read about on the forums.

https://mypathtocitizenship.com/ead-expedite-process-getting-work-authorization-faster/

 

Thanks!

Just curious, in this case when we send out our resume we should mention our EAD is in the process right? Or we shouldn't seek for a job? I want to work so badly! 

[Tella&T 188]

1 minute ago, PollyC said:

 

Thanks!

Just curious, in this case when we send out our resume we should mention our EAD is in the process right? Or we shouldn't seek for a job? I want to work so badly! 

I read that  people only mention that when they get a job offer. And some employers are ok with that and some aren't. 
Here you can read what happened to this person and advice s/he got below.
If you are not afraid of rejection I think you have a chance! It worked for a lot of people I read about.

 

[Tomalley 160]

47 minutes ago, Martella&T said:

Hello May filers,

I can see you a lot of you are frustrated because you are not getting any updates so wanted to share my observations from reading about people's experiences in the earlier groups from 2018 and also from 2017. 

In January, February and March groups there was a trend that quite a lot of couples were getting interview letters 2 weeks to 2 months after having done biometrics before even getting EAD and AP. The trend continued into April and in my ( April) group there were 4 or 5 couples ( in my eyes not so many) who had fast interviews. Later months I did not follow so closely. But it looks like things slowed down in terms of fast interviews since April.

I read that many people from last year waited a year or longer depending on the office. 

A glimmer of hope is that there are occasionally couples from this year who got their interviews 3 months or 5 months after having done biometrics despite their field offices having much longer time frames.

Getting EAD right now seems to be taking 5 to 6,5 months so a lot of people expedite EAD, a lot of them successfully so this right now seems the only way to do something about the long wait.

And not everybody gets updates, sometimes letters just shows up in the mailbox!





 

But April March and May filers need to wait three months to see I guess. It is very slow I agree. All about luck ...

[Tella&T 188]

2 minutes ago, Tomalley said:

But April March and May filers need to wait three months to see I guess. It is very slow I agree. All about luck ...

What I observed was in January, February, March groups and it was pretty consistent. There was a big group who was getting interview letters (with interview dates) 2 weeks to 2 months after having done the biometrics. But in April I saw a drop. I am an April filer and I am 2,5 months after the biometrics (almost) and I did not get the interview letter so I assume I am in the slower lane where you can wait up to 2.5 years if one is unlucky but this is the worst case scenario. 

[turkishdelight 185]

My husband finally did his biometrics this week (long story) and his AOS case status changed to "ready to be scheduled for an interview" after two days. EAD still says "case received." We are in Seattle. 

[psgma 94]

has anyone sen the new policy regarding RFE and Intent to deny for AOS on the USCIS website? 

 

https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/uscis-updates-policy-guidance-certain-requests-evidence-and-notices-intent-deny

 

"This updated guidance is effective September 11, 2018 and applies to all applications, petitions, and requests, except for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) adjudications, received after that date. Due to preliminary injunctions issued by courts in California and New York, this new PM does not change the RFEand NOID policies and practices that apply to the adjudication of DACA requests.

 “Doing so will discourage frivolous filings and skeletal applications used to game the system, ensure our resources are not wasted, and ultimately improve our agency’s ability to efficiently and fairly adjudicate requests for immigration benefits in full accordance with our laws.”  

"This policy is intended to discourage frivolous or substantially incomplete filings used as “placeholder” filings and encourage applicants, petitioners, and requestors to be diligent in collecting and submitting required evidence.  USCIS will continue issuing statutory denials when appropriate without first issuing an RFE or NOID when the applicant, petitioner, or requestor has no legal basis for the benefit/request sought, or submits a request for a benefit or relief under a program that has been terminated. 
If all required initial evidence is not submitted with the benefit request, USCIS, in its discretion, may deny the benefit request for failure to establish eligibility based on lack of required initial evidence. Examples of filings that may be denied without sending an RFE or NOID include, but are not limited to:     

• Waiver applications submitted with  little to no supporting evidence; or
• Cases where the regulations, the statute, or form instructions require the submission of an official document or other form of evidence establishing eligibility at the time of filing and there is no such submission. For example, an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864), if required, was not submitted with an Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485).

This PM updates Chapters 10.5(a) and 10.5(b) of the USCIS Adjudicator’s Field Manual and contains an “additional considerations” section. The policy in this “additional considerations” section is not new, and is nearly identical to the policy contained in the superseded 2013 PM.

[Tomalley 160]

24 minutes ago, psgma said:

has anyone sen the new policy regarding RFE and Intent to deny for AOS on the USCIS website? 

 

https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/uscis-updates-policy-guidance-certain-requests-evidence-and-notices-intent-deny

 

"This updated guidance is effective September 11, 2018 and applies to all applications, petitions, and requests, except for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) adjudications, received after that date. Due to preliminary injunctions issued by courts in California and New York, this new PM does not change the RFEand NOID policies and practices that apply to the adjudication of DACA requests.

 “Doing so will discourage frivolous filings and skeletal applications used to game the system, ensure our resources are not wasted, and ultimately improve our agency’s ability to efficiently and fairly adjudicate requests for immigration benefits in full accordance with our laws.”  

"This policy is intended to discourage frivolous or substantially incomplete filings used as “placeholder” filings and encourage applicants, petitioners, and requestors to be diligent in collecting and submitting required evidence.  USCIS will continue issuing statutory denials when appropriate without first issuing an RFE or NOID when the applicant, petitioner, or requestor has no legal basis for the benefit/request sought, or submits a request for a benefit or relief under a program that has been terminated. 
If all required initial evidence is not submitted with the benefit request, USCIS, in its discretion, may deny the benefit request for failure to establish eligibility based on lack of required initial evidence. Examples of filings that may be denied without sending an RFE or NOID include, but are not limited to:     

• Waiver applications submitted with  little to no supporting evidence; or
• Cases where the regulations, the statute, or form instructions require the submission of an official document or other form of evidence establishing eligibility at the time of filing and there is no such submission. For example, an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864), if required, was not submitted with an Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485).

This PM updates Chapters 10.5(a) and 10.5(b) of the USCIS Adjudicator’s Field Manual and contains an “additional considerations” section. The policy in this “additional considerations” section is not new, and is nearly identical to the policy contained in the superseded 2013 PM.

My husband said , it would be better for us? Because they will deny fake couples? I don’t know..

[MKM 50]

On 7/11/2018 at 9:03 AM, AmbMar18 said:

Has anyone used a service to have their foreign degree translated over to be recognized in America? This is not just a translation, but a company that actually evaluates your degree to make it equivalent to an American degree when applying for jobs.

An attorney we consulted with early on suggested he do this, the company she suggested does not have the best reviews. It is called: http://www.trustfortecorp.com/

 

I tried googling (EQUIVALENCY EVALUATION VIA CREDENTIAL ASSESSMENT SERVICES) and can't find a company with great reviews. 

 

Wanted to get this done so he can start applying if he finds something and attempt to expedite EAD.

 

Anyone?

1

Hi, I moved to the US from Canada. I applied for the US CPA so I had to use a board approved foreign evaluation company. I used

Center for Applied Research, Evaluation and Education, Inc because they were cost-effective. Hope this helps.   

I attached the link: 

[Marcelina 246]

I have scrolled past last posts and have a little bit to add. I don't want to be mean to anyone, just trying to stay realistic and give you best advice too. We all knew that from applying for AOS to receiving a green card is a long journey. Most people waited a year or longer in 2017 except for those offices that are super small at some backcountry area lol. And yes there have been cases that got accepted in less than 6 months recently but its just a couple of them to none in every office. Also not all the cases are the same, some take longer screening etc. I wouldn't expect this trend to last for all of us. If some of us get faster processing, awesome! If no, well we knew the estimated waiting times

 

The best option is to check the processing times at USCIS website, check how backloaded they your office is compared to others, check AOS statistic for your local office here at VJ and track other members AOS timelines from THE SAME office so have some general idea where to expect an interview. All those offices in California are so overloaded that not having an update after a month or more since bio appointment wouldn't surprise me. My office is not that bad but it took them around 20 days. So stay positive and don't worry!

 

Try to focus on resume and start applying for a job, always something to keep yourself busy while waiting. I'm at that stage because I can't imagine myself being stuck in the house for a year or more. I have new hobbies etc but that's not the same as having real independent life And yes, you need to be successful with your interview to apply for an EAD expedite and past your biometric appointment too. After a call to expedite they will ask you to fax additional documents (job offer referral number, employer letter etc.). Unfortunately, even if employers are not supposed to discriminate against immigrants no one will force them to hire us, sometimes if they don't see a green card in hand they just don't want to bother.

 

I'm wishing good luck to everyone, a lot of positive thoughts and let's stay busy!

 

 

[Tomalley 160]

20 minutes ago, Marcelina said:

I have scrolled past last posts and have a little bit to add. I don't want to be mean to anyone, just trying to stay realistic and give you best advice too. We all knew that from applying for AOS to receiving a green card is a long journey. Most people waited a year or longer in 2017 except for those offices that are super small at some backcountry area lol. And yes there have been cases that got accepted in less than 6 months recently but its just a couple of them to none in every office. Also not all the cases are the same, some take longer screening etc. I wouldn't expect this trend to last for all of us. If some of us get faster processing, awesome! If no, well we knew the estimated waiting times

 

The best option is to check the processing times at USCIS website, check how backloaded they your office is compared to others, check AOS statistic for your local office here at VJ and track other members AOS timelines from THE SAME office so have some general idea where to expect an interview. All those offices in California are so overloaded that not having an update after a month or more since bio appointment wouldn't surprise me. My office is not that bad but it took them around 20 days. So stay positive and don't worry!

 

Try to focus on resume and start applying for a job, always something to keep yourself busy while waiting. I'm at that stage because I can't imagine myself being stuck in the house for a year or more. I have new hobbies etc but that's not the same as having real independent life And yes, you need to be successful with your interview to apply for an EAD expedite and past your biometric appointment too. After a call to expedite they will ask you to fax additional documents (job offer referral number, employer letter etc.). Unfortunately, even if employers are not supposed to discriminate against immigrants no one will force them to hire us, sometimes if they don't see a green card in hand they just don't want to bother.

 

I'm wishing good luck to everyone, a lot of positive thoughts and let's stay busy!

 

 

I am in Florida too. My local office is very back logged:( .. I had my biometric on June 20 and my status didn’t change at all.

[Marcelina 246]

19 minutes ago, LizM said:

This. It may seem like many are getting their interviews early but if that's the case, it is not reflected in VJ timelines. Making duplicate posts now but as per VJ stats, when I checked a few days ago these were the rates:

 

0% of June filers have had their interviews scheduled (although it looks like we may be getting one or two soon!)

3% of May filers have their interviews scheduled

6% of April filers have their interviews scheduled

11% of March filers have their interviews scheduled

18% of February filers have their interviews scheduled (or have had their interviews already)

About 33% of January filers have their interviews scheduled (or have had their interviews already)

 

Maybe this is not representative of all applicants, but I would still say it's fair to say that most of us are going to be waiting a while more.

Well said! ♥️

[DownToEarth 27]

Personally, I don't mind that much the wait for the green card. That depends on the local office. But the EAD/AP are all processed at NBC, and almost 6 months of waiting, instead of 3 months, is just ridiculous. Not all of us can get a job offer to expedite the process. Why the delay?

I guess I am just venting out. It's hard to sit around when you're used to have a daily job.

[Marcelina 246]

6 hours ago, DownToEarth said:

Personally, I don't mind that much the wait for the green card. That depends on the local office. But the EAD/AP are all processed at NBC, and almost 6 months of waiting, instead of 3 months, is just ridiculous. Not all of us can get a job offer to expedite the process. Why the delay?

I guess I am just venting out. It's hard to sit around when you're used to have a daily job.

Trust me, I know the pain! I feel frustrated myself, 3 months was long, 6 is just ridiculous. And well doesn’t make sens... the sooner we work the sooner they get us to pay taxes lol 

 

I live in a small military town where it’s hard to get a decent job, most of what I’m interested in is reserved for citizens only bcs of security reasons. And I wasn’t able to find an employer that would be willing to wait for my EAD card being expedited and produced. When they need someone is rather asap situation. So I’m doomed, can’t work in my speciality area bcs of lack of citizenship and they won’t hold a “basing” job spot as for example customer device etc for me to get EAD.

 

I’m considering studying or doing some technician course so I can see a light in that tunnel  but yeah I felt it won’t be an easy start so not surprised 

[turkishdelight 185]

11 hours ago, DownToEarth said:

Personally, I don't mind that much the wait for the green card. That depends on the local office. But the EAD/AP are all processed at NBC, and almost 6 months of waiting, instead of 3 months, is just ridiculous. Not all of us can get a job offer to expedite the process. Why the delay?

I guess I am just venting out. It's hard to sit around when you're used to have a daily job.

Exactly. We don't care about the green card. We just want the work permit so we can have a decent standard of living and afford both of us to go to school. The unemployment rate in my area is super low; everyone is hiring. My husband just wants to contribute to the economy.