January 2019 - AOS Filers (merged)

[Northerndynasty 142]

10 minutes ago, PaulMac said:

Within US, you can relocate, no problems there. However traveling outside US is a problem. If it's that big of a concern, look into expedited criteria maybe you are eligible?

 

Yes, aware of domestic travel not being affected, but we have a cruise planned in June that would coincide with our anniversary, so that's where the catch of travel is.  And, of course, we know not to go for risk of "abandonment" of the case.  But, the cruise must be paid for in full by the end of the first week of April, so that's where the issue of travel comes in.

Additionally, in order to relocate for the other issue, I would need to be able to work where we relocate to, and now my current TN status wouldn't be transferable - nor would I be able to apply for another TN now that the AoS has been filed, so I pretty much can't relocate either until I get the EAD.  While this won't prevent the other plan we have in place for what must start in August, it means my daughter and my wife will have to relocate without me until I have the EAD in hand.  Ugh...  We're inseparable!!

[Bambi_Eyes9390 109]

Hi guys, I applied for my AOS in January. Completed my biometrics in February and now I have an “initial” appointment on Monday. 

Just a couple questions...

1. Does “initial” interview mean that there are more interviews to come after this one?

2. Reading what I should bring it seems like they have a lot of it and it does say “(unless already submitted)” so if I have already sent those things in am I supposed to bring them again?

3. How long typically does it take to receive EAD/GC after the interview?

4. Any other tips or advice for the interview?

 

Any help would be appreciated as I am unfamiliar with this portion of the timeline etc. and I’m feeling a little lost lol 

[The_Empyrean 733]

5 minutes ago, Bambi_Eyes9390 said:

Hi guys, I applied for my AOS in January. Completed my biometrics in February and now I have an “initial” appointment on Monday. 

Just a couple questions...

1. Does “initial” interview mean that there are more interviews to come after this one?

2. Reading what I should bring it seems like they have a lot of it and it does say “(unless already submitted)” so if I have already sent those things in am I supposed to bring them again?

3. How long typically does it take to receive EAD/GC after the interview?

4. Any other tips or advice for the interview?

 

Any help would be appreciated as I am unfamiliar with this portion of the timeline etc. and I’m feeling a little lost lol 

1. As far as i understand this it THE interview.

2. Even if it says "unless already submitted", have it in hand as well just in case officer "lost" it. It's not a must, but i'd advise to have them just in case. Better safe than sorry.

3. That interview isn't for a EAD, it's for Green Card. I'd say if no question marks and all goes well, and decision is to approve, as usual less than a month, around 2 weeks.

4. Be confident. Believe in what you're saying. Do not lie, but don't say more than asked. Have something to prove that you guys live together, bank statement, Joint tax return, etc. And the usual stuff, polite, ask officer how is his day going, natural conversation things that you'd do with any human being. Dress business casual as for a job interview, whole suit is not necessary, just look clean and professional.

That is all to my knowledge. What does it specifically say on the letter? Which petition/application is it for? I-485?

Best of Luck!

[The_Empyrean 733]

2 hours ago, Northerndynasty said:

Yes, aware of domestic travel not being affected, but we have a cruise planned in June that would coincide with our anniversary, so that's where the catch of travel is.  And, of course, we know not to go for risk of "abandonment" of the case.  But, the cruise must be paid for in full by the end of the first week of April, so that's where the issue of travel comes in.

Additionally, in order to relocate for the other issue, I would need to be able to work where we relocate to, and now my current TN status wouldn't be transferable - nor would I be able to apply for another TN now that the AoS has been filed, so I pretty much can't relocate either until I get the EAD.  While this won't prevent the other plan we have in place for what must start in August, it means my daughter and my wife will have to relocate without me until I have the EAD in hand.  Ugh...  We're inseparable!!

well, I don't want to be a bummer, but i wouldn't expect for AP atleast until late June. Maybe mid June. I did some readings on processing times, and timelines today. Most people get it in 4-6months, with average being 5. Some November Filers, as late as Nov 15,  already getting their AP/EAD's issued and produced. It hard to say, but you're walking on eggshells with that cruise.

TN? what's that?

[Bambi_Eyes9390 109]

1 hour ago, PaulMac said:

1. As far as i understand this it THE interview.

2. Even if it says "unless already submitted", have it in hand as well just in case officer "lost" it. It's not a must, but i'd advise to have them just in case. Better safe than sorry.

3. That interview isn't for a EAD, it's for Green Card. I'd say if no question marks and all goes well, and decision is to approve, as usual less than a month, around 2 weeks.

4. Be confident. Believe in what you're saying. Do not lie, but don't say more than asked. Have something to prove that you guys live together, bank statement, Joint tax return, etc. And the usual stuff, polite, ask officer how is his day going, natural conversation things that you'd do with any human being. Dress business casual as for a job interview, whole suit is not necessary, just look clean and professional.

That is all to my knowledge. What does it specifically say on the letter? Which petition/application is it for? I-485?

Best of Luck!

Thank you so much!! That is all really helpful!!

If we don't have a joint bank account, do you think my bank statement and my name on the HOA be enough to prove that we live together?

[The_Empyrean 733]

2 minutes ago, Bambi_Eyes9390 said:

Thank you so much!! That is all really helpful!!

If we don't have a joint bank account, do you think my bank statement and my name on the HOA be enough to prove that we live together?

Those tips about interview itself, was from my own experience going thru naturalization, so some differences might appear. But i think overall the setup will be the same. Make good impressions of Yourselves, how you dress has a big impact on judging person. 

 

Anything works that put you two together.

Bank statements (joint or not) on the same address.

Joint tax returns.

Leases

Life insurance

health Insurance

Drivers licence

HOA 

Affidavits of friends, or neighbors (though this has little effect, but indeed does)

It's a short time since marriage, and they know that it's hard to show anything like that without EAD. So i think they expect for basics, bank accounts, leases etc that don't require EAD, but Social Security is good enough.

 

We don't have much to prove either, Just joint bank account and joint tax returns. We're still saving up money and staying with my parents, to get a house mortgaged instead of renting. 

Just show them that you live together. Anything with both of your names on the same address will do.

[Northerndynasty 142]

1 hour ago, PaulMac said:

well, I don't want to be a bummer, but i wouldn't expect for AP atleast until late June. Maybe mid June. I did some readings on processing times, and timelines today. Most people get it in 4-6months, with average being 5. Some November Filers, as late as Nov 15,  already getting their AP/EAD's issued and produced. It hard to say, but you're walking on eggshells with that cruise.

TN? what's that?

Yep...so says the average waiting period.

 

And then you have these cases like Bambi's (and hey, I'm all for it - congrats!!), that have application submitted in January, Bio in February, and GC interview in March?!?!?!!??!?!?!?!?!?

How does that happen?!?!?!!?!?!?!?

 

There must've been some kind of compelling "Expedited" aspect here.  I mean, it defies all "standard processing" time-frames....?!?!?  Someone made a phone call on behalf-of, or something.  It just doesn't seem logical when you have the majority who will wait an average of 12-18 months.

 

 Great for Bambi...believe me...but what does that say for all the others?!

[The_Empyrean 733]

4 minutes ago, Northerndynasty said:

Yep...so says the average waiting period.

 

And then you have these cases like Bambi's (and hey, I'm all for it - congrats!!), that have application submitted in January, Bio in February, and GC interview in March?!?!?!!??!?!?!?!?!?

How does that happen?!?!?!!?!?!?!?

 

There must've been some kind of compelling "Expedited" aspect here.  I mean, it defies all "standard processing" time-frames....?!?!?  Someone made a phone call on behalf-of, or something.  It just doesn't seem logical when you have the majority who will wait an average of 12-18 months.

 

 Great for Bambi...believe me...but what does that say for all the others?!

With my understanding some slips thru the cracks like that to keep the backlog in check. I think USCIS hires new officers, or appoints a couple of them to do at least some of the newer cases to ease off the future backlog. Only logical explanation that i can come up with. Some get lucky, some don't. We are among those unlucky ones lol.
meaning some cases get approved in one month even out the time with the ones that are done in 18months, so average becomes 9months, instead of doing all of them at 12. That's just speculation and i have no idea how it really is lol.

I wouldn't say they were expedited, they probably were delivered to the local office, and some officers just took a couple boxes of recent cases. That's all the luck there i guess. Mine is probably somewhere in the basement getting eaten by roaches and rat's lmao. 

[Northerndynasty 142]

Quiet weekend around this thread.

 

Debating whether I should make a "so, what's up" call to USCIS this morning.  Just to test the waters...see what's going on...

 

Ugh...hate the waiting.  Just hope that things are at least moving along somewhere...like, has my case made it to my local office, yet?  What will be my actual local office?  Etc...

 

Monday morning blues.........................................................................................

[nikki1992 62]

Hey everyone. 

 

Not sure when/if it changed, but I noticed that the processing time for the APs is now 5 to 7 months at the National Benefit Center. Is that where they get processed? Can’t believe it’s now that long, I thought it used to be 3 to 5 months 🙄

 

We really need my AP in August so I’m hoping it doesn’t take 7 months!

[Northerndynasty 142]

7 minutes ago, nikki1992 said:

Hey everyone. 

 

Not sure when/if it changed, but I noticed that the processing time for the APs is now 5 to 7 months at the National Benefit Center. Is that where they get processed? Can’t believe it’s now that long, I thought it used to be 3 to 5 months 🙄

 

We really need my AP in August so I’m hoping it doesn’t take 7 months!

Right there with ya!  Going to have to let a huge "deal" go for a trip we were supposed to take at the end of June (anniversary) as a result of the uncertainty in the timely issuance of EADs/APs.  Also causing us much anxiety with the delay in EADs, as my daughter has been accepted to a specialized High School in Florida (where she was born), but I can't leave my TN position until I have the EAD in hand.  School year starts in August...

[nikki1992 62]

24 minutes ago, Northerndynasty said:

Right there with ya!  Going to have to let a huge "deal" go for a trip we were supposed to take at the end of June (anniversary) as a result of the uncertainty in the timely issuance of EADs/APs.  Also causing us much anxiety with the delay in EADs, as my daughter has been accepted to a specialized High School in Florida (where she was born), but I can't leave my TN position until I have the EAD in hand.  School year starts in August...

Yeah it just adds unnecessary stress! I’m hoping that as we’re already 3 months in that we won’t be too affected by the change in processing times. It’s a recent change right? I don’t remember it being that long before. I mean it used to be 90 days a couple years ago!

 

We have our wedding booked in the UK for mid Aug so we’re going to lose loads of money if it’s not here in time for that. When we submitted the paperwork it was only 3 to 5 months so we thought it would be okay with an extra 2 month buffer, but now it’s changed I’m worried 😭 

[Northerndynasty 142]

2 minutes ago, nikki1992 said:

Yeah it just adds unnecessary stress! I’m hoping that as we’re already 3 months in that we won’t be too affected by the change in processing times. It’s a recent change right? I don’t remember it being that long before. I mean it used to be 90 days a couple years ago!

 

We have our wedding booked in the UK for mid Aug so we’re going to lose loads of money if it’s not here in time for that. When we submitted the paperwork it was only 3 to 5 months so we thought it would be okay with an extra 2 month buffer, but now it’s changed I’m worried 😭 

And then read of others who are just flyyyyyyyyyyying through the processing, completely contrasting to the majority.  I think the whole timing issue is strictly related to your Local Processing office.  I'm in Texas, and from what I hear, this place is backed up so far, you might die of old age before you hear anything.  And then, there are some on the upper east-coast of the US, who are getting their full GCs within just months.  Insanely contrasting.  Ugh!  I pray for ya, as well as myself...

[nikki1992 62]

9 minutes ago, Northerndynasty said:

And then read of others who are just flyyyyyyyyyyying through the processing, completely contrasting to the majority.  I think the whole timing issue is strictly related to your Local Processing office.  I'm in Texas, and from what I hear, this place is backed up so far, you might die of old age before you hear anything.  And then, there are some on the upper east-coast of the US, who are getting their full GCs within just months.  Insanely contrasting.  Ugh!  I pray for ya, as well as myself...

Yeah exactly! Those people are so lucky! 

Ahh okay. We’re in Omaha but I have no idea if it’s backed up or not. I’ve heard of people getting their GC in about 7/8 months so it could be worse. Although the official times for Omaha are 10.5 - 22.5 months so that could have changed as well!

Good luck with yours too! Hoping we both get them in time for August!

[The_Empyrean 733]

3 hours ago, Northerndynasty said:

Quiet weekend around this thread.

 

Debating whether I should make a "so, what's up" call to USCIS this morning.  Just to test the waters...see what's going on...

 

Ugh...hate the waiting.  Just hope that things are at least moving along somewhere...like, has my case made it to my local office, yet?  What will be my actual local office?  Etc...

 

Monday morning blues.........................................................................................

Yeah lol

DO it! Keep me posted what they say!!