July 2018 AOS Filers

[ashleykay 14]

45 minutes ago, Favvy said:

Hi @ Ashley kay, congratulations on your expedite. Pls if I may ask, what was your reason for the expedite? 

I expedited due to severe financial hardship ☺️ 

[CaptainAmerica 115]

Hello to everyone on this thread! I've just spent ages catching up on everyone's posts until I decided to chime in... I've been here since mid-May, married June 1st and had my NOA1 on 20th July. It's amazing to me that some people have already had interviews! Congratulations to those people. I'm in the Los Angeles area, so I'm not holding my breath to get my interview anytime soon. I had my biometrics done in August and my case status changed to 'ready to be scheduled' since August 17th but no change since then. I'd resigned myself that I wouldn't get my EAD or AP until at least late November or early December, but if those are coming sooner that would be a blessing. I would love to be able to go home for Christmas, but I'm not planning anything until I have the AP in hand! 

 

I've seen a few people mention getting their driving licences, and it's odd how much it differs from state to state. California is the same pain as that once your I-94 expires, you're back in limboland in the DMV's eyes... I even called California Highway Patrol to ask their thoughts on driving on a UK licence, but they advised I can't. You're a California resident in their eyes, and so you must have a California licence (though the man I spoke to was so friendly and recognised the absurd situation). Thankfully there is the AB60 option. I have that licence, and I'll explain how I got it! 

 

I initially had quite a fiasco with the DMV (after spending four hours waiting/being seen on my first visit) but I was able to apply for a temporary licence within my i-94 window. I had my written test during my first visit and passed, and was very lucky in being able to find a practical test slot two weeks later. I'd already been driving my husband's car during my previous visits to him (on my UK licence) but wanted to make sure I was able to drive to the California test standard, so I took a few lessons with an instructor so that I'd feel more confident and also know how to pass the test. Thankfully I managed to pass first time! BUT, after passing my test I really only had two weeks of a licence before that would expire. This is when I put in three separate calls to the main DMV call centre, and they helped me clear up what I could do. Each person I spoke to was well aware of this limbo issue for certain visas, and were helpful in how I could resolve the problem. 

California DMV won't accept any other form of verification that you are legally within the US until your EAD is ready, in order to get a regular licence (or the new RealID). They do however provide the AB60 licence, which functions similarly to a regular driving licence with limitations ie you can't use it to fly (which is no problem if you have a passport), or for work authorisation. If you can provide the DMV with your passport, SSN, and proof of residence, you should be able to get an AB60 with no problem. I'd read that there is a secondary review which can take a long time, but twice upon talking to the DMV over the phone, they told me that I had enough documentation to successfully get the AB60 - but I had to go to a specific driving licence processing centre to get that ie not every local office can process it. Fortunately there was one processing centre only a short drive from me, so I went there to prepare to wait hours again. Thankfully I was done in 90 minutes! I'd brought my passport, current temporary licence (that had just expired), SSN card with the slip including my address, bank statements, and even my marriage and birth certificate in case they needed those. All that I needed to show them again was my passport, SSN card and bank statements for proof of residency. And that was it. I received my California licence in the mail just over a week later, and it's been a blessing to have it. My husband and I are looking to buy a new car, and just having that licence with me has been such a help. Once I receive my EAD, I just need to go back to the DMV again to swap the licence for a RealID. 

I hope this information helps anyone else in a similar situation, although it might be that you can now hold out for the EAD if these really might be with us by next month! 

[Saxxy 0]

Hello everyone, 

Is there any pittsburgh aos filers with july pd? I want to know the current month AOS they are working on.

[IncogNitro 15]

2 hours ago, CaptainAmerica said:

California DMV won't accept any other form of verification that you are legally within the US until your EAD is ready, in order to get a regular licence (or the new RealID). They do however provide the AB60 licence, which functions similarly to a regular driving licence with limitations ie you can't use it to fly (which is no problem if you have a passport), or for work authorisation. If you can provide the DMV with your passport, SSN, and proof of residence, you should be able to get an AB60 with no problem. I'd read that there is a secondary review which can take a long time, but twice upon talking to the DMV over the phone, they told me that I had enough documentation to successfully get the AB60 - but I had to go to a specific driving licence processing centre to get that ie not every local office can process it. Fortunately there was one processing centre only a short drive from me, so I went there to prepare to wait hours again. Thankfully I was done in 90 minutes! I'd brought my passport, current temporary licence (that had just expired), SSN card with the slip including my address, bank statements, and even my marriage and birth certificate in case they needed those. All that I needed to show them again was my passport, SSN card and bank statements for proof of residency. And that was it. I received my California licence in the mail just over a week later, and it's been a blessing to have it. My husband and I are looking to buy a new car, and just having that licence with me has been such a help. Once I receive my EAD, I just need to go back to the DMV again to swap the licence for a RealID. 

I hope this information helps anyone else in a similar situation, although it might be that you can now hold out for the EAD if these really might be with us by next month! 

Just so you know, because I am on an AB60 as well, the AB60 license is good for 5 years before it needs renewing, as if it was a regular license. If you go to DMV and swap it again for a license based on your EAD (REALID or otherwise), it will expire when your EAD does, and it can be a PITA to get it renewed when all you get from USCIS is a letter to say your EAD has been extended.  You don't need a REALID license yet because your EAD will be REALID compliant and you can use that to board planes and enter military bases.

Edited October 2, 2018 by IncogNitro

[Dekd22 53]

Realistically when could we expect to hear something about the EAD?  Our applicaton was received 7/24.  Supporting both of us on my income has been pretty damn tough and we are really hoping she can finally work to make life a little easier

[JasonGG 280]

1 hour ago, Dekd22 said:

Realistically when could we expect to hear something about the EAD?  Our applicaton was received 7/24.  Supporting both of us on my income has been pretty damn tough and we are really hoping she can finally work to make life a little easier

I think the average is about 4-5 months if you don't receive your green card first.  If you complete your timeline, you will get an estimate for EAD and AP based upon what everyone else is reporting.  We filed for AOS/EAD/AP a little before you and our estimate for EAD is in December.

 

Jason

Edited October 2, 2018 by JasonGG

[scorr77 14]

1 hour ago, Dekd22 said:

Realistically when could we expect to hear something about the EAD?  Our applicaton was received 7/24.  Supporting both of us on my income has been pretty damn tough and we are really hoping she can finally work to make life a little easier

We filed June 26th. My husband didnt get his EAD guess because they scheduled interview before EAD was issued 

[CaptainAmerica 115]

19 hours ago, IncogNitro said:

Just so you know, because I am on an AB60 as well, the AB60 license is good for 5 years before it needs renewing, as if it was a regular license. If you go to DMV and swap it again for a license based on your EAD (REALID or otherwise), it will expire when your EAD does, and it can be a PITA to get it renewed when all you get from USCIS is a letter to say your EAD has been extended.  You don't need a REALID license yet because your EAD will be REALID compliant and you can use that to board planes and enter military bases.

That's an excellent piece of advice, thank you! I was concerned about the RealID by 2020 thing, but like you say, it's actually not a requirement for me to switch as long as my passport remains valid. I didn't realise that the license's expiration would be linked to the EAD so I'll definitely hold out on making any changes until I get my green card. 

[Dot13 69]

In my interview letter it says to bring the vaccination in a sealed envelope. My husband vaccination is not sealed. They gave it back to him at interview cause it wasn't required for k1. We send a copy with the AOS package. So my question is , should I go to a civil doctor to have another vaccination or should I just bring what I have even if it's not sealed. For Those of you that have been to interview, have you been in this situation.

[emekus94 1,125]

15 hours ago, Dekd22 said:

Realistically when could we expect to hear something about the EAD?  Our applicaton was received 7/24.  Supporting both of us on my income has been pretty damn tough and we are really hoping she can finally work to make life a little easier

Update ur timeline with ur information
That will tell you an ESTIMATED VJ timeline.

 

Currently, EADs take about 4-6 months
But NBC seems to have picked up pace the last few weeks.
Some folks in early June just got their EADs 

That puts us in pace to have early July filers hear by month end and u as a late July POTENTIALLY hear by mid November--

Could also be as late as January

Edited October 3, 2018 by emekus94

[ashleykay 14]

Anyone in SC get a drivers license with their EAD? What’s the process for that?

[KandW 358]

On 10/1/2018 at 3:27 PM, ashleykay said:

My EAD Expedite request has been approved and my card is in production!!!! So happy.  Now I don’t mind how long it takes for my interview. I CAN WORK 😁😁 

 

On 10/1/2018 at 6:19 PM, Summer123 said:

Congrats to you @Jemilyn . 

Did you get an update on your uscis account? Like they sent a response , was assigned to an officer?

Mine showed like those messages today and I’m hoping tomorrow I will be approved.

How long has it taken to expedite your EAD if you don’t mind both sharing? 

[ashleykay 14]

1 hour ago, KandW said:

 

How long has it taken to expedite your EAD if you don’t mind both sharing? 

After I called USCIS to expedite, it took 5 days to show up on my case status saying they sent me a letter. I received the letter about 5 days after that saying I needed to fax documents. I did the same day and from that day it took 3.5 weeks to get a decision.

 

So from the day I called to request to the day my new card is being produced was 1 month & 2 days! Now I have to wait about 10 business days until I receive my card in the mail. 

 

 

[4rmGhanaliveinATL 13]

New card is being produced . Work permit pd July 6 2018

[Joselio 196]

2 minutes ago, 4rmGhanaliveinATL said:

New card is being produced . Work permit pd July 6 2018

Congratulations..... it was fast...did you expedite it???