January 2019 - AOS Filers (merged)

[Ian&Dana 51]

[Epix 18]

Our "Case Received" date is January 15th. Still haven't heard anything.

Edited October 15, 2019 by Epix

[The_Empyrean 733]

8 hours ago, Epix said:

Our "Case Received" date is January 15th. Still haven't heard anything.

Takes time depending on Your local office. You can check more or less here when to expect your interview. 

Go to immigration timelines->AoS-> and sort it by your field office.

That way you'll see the most recent people who went to your field office interview. I did, and my estimate was right, same week when i said we should get it, we did receive the "interview scheduled" notification. 

[ladybell3k 4]

I finally received the "New Card is Being Produced" update on my i-765 (work permit) but nothing for my travel document. Are they separate? I thought that I was going to receive a combo card. Is the status for both supposed to change? 

[The_Empyrean 733]

14 hours ago, ladybell3k said:

I finally received the "New Card is Being Produced" update on my i-765 (work permit) but nothing for my travel document. Are they separate? I thought that I was going to receive a combo card. Is the status for both supposed to change? 

It's a combo. I didn't have any updates on I-131 way after i received the EAD with AP on it. 

[ladybell3k 4]

2 minutes ago, The_Empyrean said:

It's a combo. I didn't have any updates on I-131 way after i received the EAD with AP on it. 

Ok thank you.

[Sofia91 3]

Hi all,

 

Thank you for the companionship during this process. My AOS was recently approved and I would like to share my experience for those that are still on the wait.

 

I filed in Orlando and like most of us, I applied for AOS, Advance Parole and Work permit. My priority date was January 8 and I had my biometrics were done on Feb 4. I kept the long wait for work permite and AP but it was never processed, it stayed in "received" and "we have completed your finger print review". 

Then on mid June my status changed to ready to schedule interview.  And while I waited, on August 1st I filed an inquire for case taking longer than normal processing time, but never received an answer. I made multiple calls and requested to speak with a Tier 2 rep, but no logical answer. Finally on mid August my status changed to "interview was scheduled". My interview happened on October 1st, the approval of my case was done later the same day and I received my greencard a week later on October 8th.

 

The interview:

Interview time was 10:20 am so we arrived 30 minutes earlier.  Security was just like going through airport security, showed ID and the appointment letter. We then waited for our attorney. We checked in 5 minutes before our interview time because the attorney wasn't showing up, but he arrived just at 10:25 am and made his check in. 

We waited to be called about 20 minutes, the officer was courteous, and took us to a closed office.  My husband and I sat in the front and our attorney sat in a chair in the back.  Attorney introduced himself and the officer requested our passports, so please bring both passports (petitioner and beneficiary). We made the oath and interview started.

 

The officer requested joint documents first, and for every original document I did bring a copy, just in case.  He never requested to see originals, he said don't worry. I submitted husband's taxes from 2015 to 2017 and our joint taxes for 2018. Copies of debit cards and credit card with joint bank account (here I provided the account statements for 1 year) our joint home lease, the financial agreement for our car, the car insurance information, our renter's insurance policy. In addition, electricity bill on my name and the water bill on his (show same home address). We provided as well, the phone bill on his name showing 2 lines (all bills I could print). Then, the officer requested pictures and I gave him an album with pictures with the 4 of us for about 2 years of our relationship. In the pictures you can clearly see the kids grew and we got fat together. So bring pictures since the very first date of your relationship, all the way to the day before of the interview. Bring photos of important days and of normal family days, do not focus on the wedding pictures only. Your marriage is way more than just a wedding day. The officer kept about 6 photos, mainly normal photos of us in the park playing, photos at home and some with family.

 

The questions:

We were asked not to interrupt each other and when a question is being asked, not to respond for the other one.  So the officer started by asking questions to the petitioner (as the beneficiary is expected to know all the answers I guess). Asked how we met, exactly what we did in the first date, the names of my parents, what is my career, what I did back in my home country, names of jobs, the city where I lived. Details about my son's date of birth, custody information, the name of his father, date that I got divorced from him. My husband was fine, responded all he was asked, missed the date I was divorced by one day, but the month was enough for the officer.

 

The officer then asked me how we met again, he shifted dates and details... he added things to confirm our versions, which I had to correct him. He asked the name of the mother of my step child, date he was divorced, names of his parents, added brothers and sisters my husband does not have. Asked where he works, where he worked before, the addresses where we have lived before. He asked how much we paid on our car bill, rent and car insurance.

 

Then the officer said, that questions about relationship were over and he proceeded with questions about my AOS. I answered all with "No "and that was it. We were told that they had to review the case and that it can take up to 4 weeks to receive the greencard in the mail. So, although no official approval was given, he basically said we were fine. 

 

And here we are now, ready to get a job and start working on baby #3 (we already have 2 children from previous marriage)

 

[Northerndynasty 142]

6 hours ago, Sofia91 said:

Hi all,

 

Thank you for the companionship during this process. My AOS was recently approved and I would like to share my experience for those that are still on the wait.

 

I filed in Orlando and like most of us, I applied for AOS, Advance Parole and Work permit. My priority date was January 8 and I had my biometrics were done on Feb 4. I kept the long wait for work permite and AP but it was never processed, it stayed in "received" and "we have completed your finger print review". 

Then on mid June my status changed to ready to schedule interview.  And while I waited, on August 1st I filed an inquire for case taking longer than normal processing time, but never received an answer. I made multiple calls and requested to speak with a Tier 2 rep, but no logical answer. Finally on mid August my status changed to "interview was scheduled". My interview happened on October 1st, the approval of my case was done later the same day and I received my greencard a week later on October 8th.

 

The interview:

Interview time was 10:20 am so we arrived 30 minutes earlier.  Security was just like going through airport security, showed ID and the appointment letter. We then waited for our attorney. We checked in 5 minutes before our interview time because the attorney wasn't showing up, but he arrived just at 10:25 am and made his check in. 

We waited to be called about 20 minutes, the officer was courteous, and took us to a closed office.  My husband and I sat in the front and our attorney sat in a chair in the back.  Attorney introduced himself and the officer requested our passports, so please bring both passports (petitioner and beneficiary). We made the oath and interview started.

 

The officer requested joint documents first, and for every original document I did bring a copy, just in case.  He never requested to see originals, he said don't worry. I submitted husband's taxes from 2015 to 2017 and our joint taxes for 2018. Copies of debit cards and credit card with joint bank account (here I provided the account statements for 1 year) our joint home lease, the financial agreement for our car, the car insurance information, our renter's insurance policy. In addition, electricity bill on my name and the water bill on his (show same home address). We provided as well, the phone bill on his name showing 2 lines (all bills I could print). Then, the officer requested pictures and I gave him an album with pictures with the 4 of us for about 2 years of our relationship. In the pictures you can clearly see the kids grew and we got fat together. So bring pictures since the very first date of your relationship, all the way to the day before of the interview. Bring photos of important days and of normal family days, do not focus on the wedding pictures only. Your marriage is way more than just a wedding day. The officer kept about 6 photos, mainly normal photos of us in the park playing, photos at home and some with family.

 

The questions:

We were asked not to interrupt each other and when a question is being asked, not to respond for the other one.  So the officer started by asking questions to the petitioner (as the beneficiary is expected to know all the answers I guess). Asked how we met, exactly what we did in the first date, the names of my parents, what is my career, what I did back in my home country, names of jobs, the city where I lived. Details about my son's date of birth, custody information, the name of his father, date that I got divorced from him. My husband was fine, responded all he was asked, missed the date I was divorced by one day, but the month was enough for the officer.

 

The officer then asked me how we met again, he shifted dates and details... he added things to confirm our versions, which I had to correct him. He asked the name of the mother of my step child, date he was divorced, names of his parents, added brothers and sisters my husband does not have. Asked where he works, where he worked before, the addresses where we have lived before. He asked how much we paid on our car bill, rent and car insurance.

 

Then the officer said, that questions about relationship were over and he proceeded with questions about my AOS. I answered all with "No "and that was it. We were told that they had to review the case and that it can take up to 4 weeks to receive the greencard in the mail. So, although no official approval was given, he basically said we were fine. 

 

And here we are now, ready to get a job and start working on baby #3 (we already have 2 children from previous marriage)

 

Hey there:

 

So, first things first, congratulations!  Very happy for you!  The Journey is now complete for you and your family.  How excited you all should (and deserve) to be.  Awesome!

 

We are scheduled for an interview very shortly, and like yours, ours is in Orlando, also.  Your full and thorough write up is extremely useful, and to some extent, worrisome to me, in that we have yet to enter in to several of the “joint” arrangements that you’ve had the time to get together on.  To get to the interview, we had to request Expedited service (and were successful in the Expedite request), due to the security-sensitivity of my new employment requiring LPR status.

 

We share an “operations” checking account, but have very few transactions take place but monthly minor transfers to pay for cellphone bills and the electricity bill.  However, neither bill is in both our names.  We have yet to file taxes together, as we were married very late in 2018 to afford the opportunity; that will happen for 2019.  We do not have shared insurance, for a very specific reason, which will change next year.  So, a lot of our financial circumstances are NOT shared - but most-importantly, our Residential Lease does contain both our names.  My wife’s passport is in my last name (She is the petitioner, while I am the beneficiary).

We of course have plenty of pictures from the first day we met, but with your information, we will definitely have them available.

 

And if there’s any clue as to the authenticity of our marriage:  I gave up a very good job in another state to ensure her relocation back to Florida, so she could be close to her family.  Since then, it has been a very challenging “income” circumstance, due to Florida’s historically low paying jobs field.  However, we will survive!

 

Your write-up was incredibly beneficial, and will hopefully assist us in the same successful results. If you have anything else to share, please do so here or feel free to DM me.

All the best!

[The_Empyrean 733]

8 hours ago, Sofia91 said:

Hi all,

 

Thank you for the companionship during this process. My AOS was recently approved and I would like to share my experience for those that are still on the wait.

 

I filed in Orlando and like most of us, I applied for AOS, Advance Parole and Work permit. My priority date was January 8 and I had my biometrics were done on Feb 4. I kept the long wait for work permite and AP but it was never processed, it stayed in "received" and "we have completed your finger print review". 

Then on mid June my status changed to ready to schedule interview.  And while I waited, on August 1st I filed an inquire for case taking longer than normal processing time, but never received an answer. I made multiple calls and requested to speak with a Tier 2 rep, but no logical answer. Finally on mid August my status changed to "interview was scheduled". My interview happened on October 1st, the approval of my case was done later the same day and I received my greencard a week later on October 8th.

 

The interview:

Interview time was 10:20 am so we arrived 30 minutes earlier.  Security was just like going through airport security, showed ID and the appointment letter. We then waited for our attorney. We checked in 5 minutes before our interview time because the attorney wasn't showing up, but he arrived just at 10:25 am and made his check in. 

We waited to be called about 20 minutes, the officer was courteous, and took us to a closed office.  My husband and I sat in the front and our attorney sat in a chair in the back.  Attorney introduced himself and the officer requested our passports, so please bring both passports (petitioner and beneficiary). We made the oath and interview started.

 

The officer requested joint documents first, and for every original document I did bring a copy, just in case.  He never requested to see originals, he said don't worry. I submitted husband's taxes from 2015 to 2017 and our joint taxes for 2018. Copies of debit cards and credit card with joint bank account (here I provided the account statements for 1 year) our joint home lease, the financial agreement for our car, the car insurance information, our renter's insurance policy. In addition, electricity bill on my name and the water bill on his (show same home address). We provided as well, the phone bill on his name showing 2 lines (all bills I could print). Then, the officer requested pictures and I gave him an album with pictures with the 4 of us for about 2 years of our relationship. In the pictures you can clearly see the kids grew and we got fat together. So bring pictures since the very first date of your relationship, all the way to the day before of the interview. Bring photos of important days and of normal family days, do not focus on the wedding pictures only. Your marriage is way more than just a wedding day. The officer kept about 6 photos, mainly normal photos of us in the park playing, photos at home and some with family.

 

The questions:

We were asked not to interrupt each other and when a question is being asked, not to respond for the other one.  So the officer started by asking questions to the petitioner (as the beneficiary is expected to know all the answers I guess). Asked how we met, exactly what we did in the first date, the names of my parents, what is my career, what I did back in my home country, names of jobs, the city where I lived. Details about my son's date of birth, custody information, the name of his father, date that I got divorced from him. My husband was fine, responded all he was asked, missed the date I was divorced by one day, but the month was enough for the officer.

 

The officer then asked me how we met again, he shifted dates and details... he added things to confirm our versions, which I had to correct him. He asked the name of the mother of my step child, date he was divorced, names of his parents, added brothers and sisters my husband does not have. Asked where he works, where he worked before, the addresses where we have lived before. He asked how much we paid on our car bill, rent and car insurance.

 

Then the officer said, that questions about relationship were over and he proceeded with questions about my AOS. I answered all with "No "and that was it. We were told that they had to review the case and that it can take up to 4 weeks to receive the greencard in the mail. So, although no official approval was given, he basically said we were fine. 

 

And here we are now, ready to get a job and start working on baby #3 (we already have 2 children from previous marriage)

 

Congratulations! Happy to hear all went good.

Thanks for an insight what to expect during the interview. 

But im gonna include short disclaimer, every office and officer are different so everyone's experience will vary.
So in short, your interview was just like "embassy" interview, just with your spouse now.

We have interview on 21st of Nov, in Newark. I got naturalized there, so hopefully we get an officer like the one i had for naturalization lol

Our "issue" is that we're still with my parents, in a sense that, i want to save up as much money for downpayment for mortgage (thanks new jersey for being so tax friendly... not), or for moving to CA, so most bills are on my parents. All we have is her DL on our address, her dental bills on our address, her on my tax returns and bank accounts, and probably letter from my parents that we live there together for "saving reasons", and obviously pictures. I meet all the requirements though. But i'm a little tense. I shouldn't be since our relationship is solid 5 years now, and our initial file should be huge with proofs. Guess im just overthinking.

[Violax 72]

Good morning 

I'm a May filer and wondering if anyone here whose field office is Santa Ana, too?

Curious how accurate the field office processing time on the website is.

Thank you!

[The_Empyrean 733]

2 minutes ago, Violax said:

Good morning 

I'm a May filer and wondering if anyone here whose field office is Santa Ana, too?

Curious how accurate the field office processing time on the website is.

Thank you!

Hi,

Wrong subforum, you might want to try May 2019 AoS.

Other way you can check it out:
Immigration timelines-> AoS Timelines-> sort it by the field offices. "Local CIS Office".

Latest for Santa Ana, CA by NOA1: August 2018, Interview:2019-09-06

So 13months or thereabouts

[mc_smelligott 4]

I received my card 2 weeks ago. Best of luck to all of you still waiting!

[Northerndynasty 142]

So...just had our interview, and we left with a horrible feeling.  Nothing stated explicitly, but that gut feeling you get...

 

- Asked almost NOTHING about the setup of our personal residence.

- Her DL still in old address.  Just haven’t got around to changing it.

- Our shared bank account has only a few transactions over the last few months.  Reason:  whenever we’re out doing whatever, whoever pays just pulls out our own card and pays.  Is that wrong?

- Health insurance is still separate. Reason:  I’m still in that 90-day just started a new job and insurance isn’t active yet.

- Wanted note from school showing both of us having sign-out authorization for my 17 year old daughter.  Really?!?!?!  

- I was the target of most of the questions (beneficiary), and She was asked just a few basic questions.

- Provided Lease with our names on it.

- Provided plenty of additional pics.

- Provided my bank statements showing strong financial stability, that should negate the concern about the Petitioner’s capability of providing for both.

- I once held an H1B for a few months, but then transferred to another employer and back on to TNs.  Kept asking me if I’d ever applied for Permanent Residency because of that.  I answered, each time, NO.  The employer made it clear they would never apply for Perm, but would do the H1B.

 

The overall feeling we got was that he basically didn’t believe that we actually live together.  That’s just the feeling we have.

He ended it with some small talk, and shook our hands and said “good luck”.  Mentioned that he should have our case reviewed by the end of the day.

 

Thoughts from this group??

 

I seriously think there’s something wrong...  😔😔😔😔

[The_Empyrean 733]

7 minutes ago, Northerndynasty said:

So...just had our interview, and we left with a horrible feeling.  Nothing stated explicitly, but that gut feeling you get...

 

- Asked almost NOTHING about the setup of our personal residence.

- Her DL still in old address.  Just haven’t got around to changing it.

- Our shared bank account has only a few transactions over the last few months.  Reason:  whenever we’re out doing whatever, whoever pays just pulls out our own card and pays.  Is that wrong?

- Health insurance is still separate. Reason:  I’m still in that 90-day just started a new job and insurance isn’t active yet.

- Wanted note from school showing both of us having sign-out authorization for my 17 year old daughter.  Really?!?!?!  

- I was the target of most of the questions (beneficiary), and She was asked just a few basic questions.

- Provided Lease with our names on it.

- Provided plenty of additional pics.

- Provided my bank statements showing strong financial stability, that should negate the concern about the Petitioner’s capability of providing for both.

- I once held an H1B for a few months, but then transferred to another employer and back on to TNs.  Kept asking me if I’d ever applied for Permanent Residency because of that.  I answered, each time, NO.  The employer made it clear they would never apply for Perm, but would do the H1B.

 

The overall feeling we got was that he basically didn’t believe that we actually live together.  That’s just the feeling we have.

He ended it with some small talk, and shook our hands and said “good luck”.  Mentioned that he should have our case reviewed by the end of the day.

 

Thoughts from this group??

 

I seriously think there’s something wrong...  😔😔😔😔

I wouldn't worry,  at least as of now. 
Some officers are not as emotional or showing. So that's nothing to worry about.
You had enough paperwork to show ties to the address, you should be good.

We barely have anything, since we're staying with my parents lol

No insurance yet at all. lol

[Northerndynasty 142]

1 hour ago, The_Empyrean said:

I wouldn't worry,  at least as of now. 
Some officers are not as emotional or showing. So that's nothing to worry about.
You had enough paperwork to show ties to the address, you should be good.

We barely have anything, since we're staying with my parents lol

No insurance yet at all. lol

There’s no worrying any more.  We can’t change what’s been done.  To not ask us anything about the home life (other than “challenging” us several times about what our address actually is)...is very puzzling, concerning, and not positive.

In this day and age, nothing is like the rigidness and “old fashion” like it used to be.  I don’t see what the big problem is if a married couple doesn’t have all these major financial matters joint.  Especially if it’s not your first marriage...and almost guaranteed if it’s not your second marriage.  But that seemed to be the biggest focus during the interview.  All these financial matters that are not joint but “should be”.  Who says?!?!  You?!?!  

Anyway...not sure what to think...other than...it went badly.....