February 2020 AOS Filers

[lcandcl 6]

19 hours ago, probingoduke said:

we have our interview tomorrow. ANy tips on how many months of credit card, account, and phone bill statements should we take? If we take all we have then our folder is extremely big. Would the past 2 months suffice?

I am also from Boston. Interview in 2 weeks. Please let me know how your interview goes! Good luck

[igoyougoduke 1,671]

11 hours ago, mvasantos said:

Got an update on my i-485 that interview is ready to be scheduled. No EAD, hopefully it gets scheduled fast, at least that.

congrats. crazy that you dont have EAD and got interview. may be they want to give you straight up GC instead of EAD 

[mvasantos 67]

23 minutes ago, James120383 said:

congrats. crazy that you dont have EAD and got interview. may be they want to give you straight up GC instead of EAD 

Yep! Interview has been scheduled today. That's quick lol! Hopefully get the notice soon!

[G&BN 90]

Thanks to those who have shared interview experiences! Its been super helpful! Our case was updated on Sept 4 that our interview is ready to be scheduled and we've been waiting since so hopefully soon we'll get our notice! 

 

[probingoduke 20]

Hello to all. Thank you so much for your advice, encouragement, help and compassion. We had our interview in the morning at the Boston, MA office.

 

I'm going to try and keep this detailed for anyone looking for tips/guide. Please feel free to ask any questions.

 

TLDR:

Our PD: Feb 21, 2020. Package sent without I693.

Mid march: Received notices.

June RFE: For Birth Certificate. Received in early June. Responded within a week. We were able to get my BC online and sent supplementary evidence like school marksheet.

July I693 Deficiency Notice

Early August: Reached out to Congressman's office in August and coincidentally/thanks to inquiry by CM office we got our i485/i765 bio for Aug 11.

Aug 11: 4hrs after bio I765 updated to show fingerprints were taken. 12 hrs after bio I485 updated to show fingerprints were taken.

Aug 17: I485 updated to 'Ready to schedule interview.

Nov 1: Received 2 mails (no online status update). 1 for bio appt for i131 set for nov 10. 2 for interview notice set for nov 18.

Nov 10: 1 hour after bio I131 updated to show Fingerprints were taken.

Nov 18: 1 hour after interview I485 changed to 'New card being produced'. I130 changed to 'Interview was completed and case sent for initial review.

 

Tips for Boston office:

• Dress business casual. Prefer not to wear a suit.
• Try taking public transport. 
• If driving in, prepare for $$$ parking.
• Multiple garages near building but bad sign directions.
• Typically takes us 30 mins to reach office but today all routes had accidents so it took us 1 hour 40 mins. Always account for the unknown. Or get a new yorker partner like me.
• You will most likely be separately interviewed. Typically, the petitioner goes in first with all docs and evidences. Boston officers are generally very friendly.
• If you have an attorney, the officer can offer you to go in with your spouse instead of going in with your attorney. Our attorney recommended going in with them instead.
• Entrance foe visitors is on Cambridge street so try looking for signs or park at Boston food market garage.
• When you enter the building, you will be asked to remove belt, shoes and jacket like at an airport TSA. Account time for that.
• When you enter the interview waiting hall you will be asked 'have you been outside mass in the last 14 days?'

Package preparation:

• The interview notice comes with a list of items to be brought. Just focus on that.
• We hired an attorney so he gave us a run through of the same and did a 'prep interview'.
• We made one folder to keep documents in the series mentioned as per the interview letter: Interview letter & Passports, I693, I864, BC and so on.
• Try getting tax transcripts from IRS website right away
• Try getting a letter from your bank/cc company sharing that you own joint cards and accounts.
• We made another folder for the 'thick materials' like 12 months of bank statements, 12 months of CC statements, 12 months of phone bills and since we don't have a lease as proof of living together we had collected mail over the year.
• We also made 3 photo albums. 1 depicting our story on how we met and all. 1 of our small wedding ceremony. 1 of our rescue animals (my wife runs a rescue so we have saved about 150 animals. Try making a similar album for hobbies/things that you and your partner do together (it will help, can even just be an album of your messages etc.)
• We had also printed out all our air/bus/hotel/Airbnb reservations and tickets.
• Receipts for gifts we got each other.
• We also asked our friends to write letters stating how long they knew us, when they met us last and all.
• Backpacks/luggage are not allowed. Try preparing to have a transparent bag or hand carry docs with you.

Questions asked (overall interview time 45 mins). Very conversational:

 

My wife went first and after taking an oath was asked the following:

• Drivers license and Passport to verify her name, address (how long she has lived there) and parents name.
• Any former names
• If this was her 2nd marriage and what her ex husbands name is
• Why first marriage ended and when did he move out
• How we met
• Did her ex ever meet me
• Proof of bonafide marriage: Photo album
• How many pets and their names/breeds
• How we first met, what we did on our first date, when I met the pets, how i liked them
• Took tickets to events we attended and Airbnb reservations.
• Took CC Letter, tax transcripts
• My work status, what kind of job i did, work from home or on site, what my company did, what my work status was
• What visa I had and previously had
• Whether she had any dietary restrictions (she saw that I got her vegan cake)
• What was our fav restaurant
• What we liked to cook at home
• When I went vegan
• How her business was going with covid

Then I was called in and after oath was asked (conversationally):

• Drivers license and Passport to verify my name, address, and parents name.
• Any former names
• If this was my or wife's 2nd marriage and what her ex husbands name is
• When did ex husband move out
• When did i move in
• How we met
• Did her ex ever meet me
• How many pets and their names/breeds
• How we first met, what we did on our first date, when I met the pets, how i liked them
• What things we did together
• My work status, what kind of job i did, work from home or on site, what my company did, what my work status was
• What visa I had and previously had
• Whether I had any dietary restrictions
• What we liked to cook at home
• How her business was going with covid

Then we went through our I485 questions (whether I'm terrorist, communist etc)

Took photo with webcam.

Took index fingerprints on both hands.

Confirmed 1 change that I was unemployed since we filed and I signed on that

 

Then she said I should be getting a letter soon and it may be my GC for 2 years. Briefly told me about ROC. She was shocked that I had 2 appts for bio.

 

We thanked her and that's all.

[lcandcl 6]

6 minutes ago, probingoduke said:

Hello to all. Thank you so much for your advice, encouragement, help and compassion. We had our interview in the morning at the Boston, MA office.

 

I'm going to try and keep this detailed for anyone looking for tips/guide. Please feel free to ask any questions.

 

TLDR:

Our PD: Feb 21, 2020. Package sent without I693.

Mid march: Received notices.

June RFE: For Birth Certificate. Received in early June. Responded within a week. We were able to get my BC online and sent supplementary evidence like school marksheet.

July I693 Deficiency Notice

Early August: Reached out to Congressman's office in August and coincidentally/thanks to inquiry by CM office we got our i485/i765 bio for Aug 11.

Aug 11: 4hrs after bio I765 updated to show fingerprints were taken. 12 hrs after bio I485 updated to show fingerprints were taken.

Aug 17: I485 updated to 'Ready to schedule interview.

Nov 1: Received 2 mails (no online status update). 1 for bio appt for i131 set for nov 10. 2 for interview notice set for nov 18.

Nov 10: 1 hour after bio I131 updated to show Fingerprints were taken.

Nov 18: 1 hour after interview I485 changed to 'New card being produced'. I130 changed to 'Interview was completed and case sent for initial review.

 

Tips for Boston office:

• Dress business casual. Prefer not to wear a suit.
• Try taking public transport. 
• If driving in, prepare for $$$ parking.
• Multiple garages near building but bad sign directions.
• Typically takes us 30 mins to reach office but today all routes had accidents so it took us 1 hour 40 mins. Always account for the unknown. Or get a new yorker partner like me.
• You will most likely be separately interviewed. Typically, the petitioner goes in first with all docs and evidences. Boston officers are generally very friendly.
• If you have an attorney, the officer can offer you to go in with your spouse instead of going in with your attorney. Our attorney recommended going in with them instead.
• Entrance foe visitors is on Cambridge street so try looking for signs or park at Boston food market garage.
• When you enter the building, you will be asked to remove belt, shoes and jacket like at an airport TSA. Account time for that.
• When you enter the interview waiting hall you will be asked 'have you been outside mass in the last 14 days?'

Package preparation:

• The interview notice comes with a list of items to be brought. Just focus on that.
• We hired an attorney so he gave us a run through of the same and did a 'prep interview'.
• We made one folder to keep documents in the series mentioned as per the interview letter: Interview letter & Passports, I693, I864, BC and so on.
• Try getting tax transcripts from IRS website right away
• Try getting a letter from your bank/cc company sharing that you own joint cards and accounts.
• We made another folder for the 'thick materials' like 12 months of bank statements, 12 months of CC statements, 12 months of phone bills and since we don't have a lease as proof of living together we had collected mail over the year.
• We also made 3 photo albums. 1 depicting our story on how we met and all. 1 of our small wedding ceremony. 1 of our rescue animals (my wife runs a rescue so we have saved about 150 animals. Try making a similar album for hobbies/things that you and your partner do together (it will help, can even just be an album of your messages etc.)
• We had also printed out all our air/bus/hotel/Airbnb reservations and tickets.
• Receipts for gifts we got each other.
• We also asked our friends to write letters stating how long they knew us, when they met us last and all.
• Backpacks/luggage are not allowed. Try preparing to have a transparent bag or hand carry docs with you.

Questions asked (overall interview time 45 mins). Very conversational:

 

My wife went first and after taking an oath was asked the following:

• Drivers license and Passport to verify her name, address (how long she has lived there) and parents name.
• Any former names
• If this was her 2nd marriage and what her ex husbands name is
• Why first marriage ended and when did he move out
• How we met
• Did her ex ever meet me
• Proof of bonafide marriage: Photo album
• How many pets and their names/breeds
• How we first met, what we did on our first date, when I met the pets, how i liked them
• Took tickets to events we attended and Airbnb reservations.
• Took CC Letter, tax transcripts
• My work status, what kind of job i did, work from home or on site, what my company did, what my work status was
• What visa I had and previously had
• Whether she had any dietary restrictions (she saw that I got her vegan cake)
• What was our fav restaurant
• What we liked to cook at home
• When I went vegan
• How her business was going with covid

Then I was called in and after oath was asked (conversationally):

• Drivers license and Passport to verify my name, address, and parents name.
• Any former names
• If this was my or wife's 2nd marriage and what her ex husbands name is
• When did ex husband move out
• When did i move in
• How we met
• Did her ex ever meet me
• How many pets and their names/breeds
• How we first met, what we did on our first date, when I met the pets, how i liked them
• What things we did together
• My work status, what kind of job i did, work from home or on site, what my company did, what my work status was
• What visa I had and previously had
• Whether I had any dietary restrictions
• What we liked to cook at home
• How her business was going with covid

Then we went through our I485 questions (whether I'm terrorist, communist etc)

Took photo with webcam.

Took index fingerprints on both hands.

Confirmed 1 change that I was unemployed since we filed and I signed on that

 

Then she said I should be getting a letter soon and it may be my GC for 2 years. Briefly told me about ROC. She was shocked that I had 2 appts for bio.

 

We thanked her and that's all.

Congratss!! I am so happy for you! Question: They did not ask about your I944? I sent the documents on 02/21 but the received in the letter is 02/24. I was a little bit worry about that. 

[lcandcl 6]

Just now, lcandcl said:

Congratss!! I am so happy for you! Question: They did not ask about your I944? I sent the documents on 02/21 but the received in the letter is 02/24. I was a little bit worry about that. 

Also, when did you do your medical examination? and how long it takes to get ready? I did mine yesterday and my interview is on 12/01 I do not know if this is enough time since next week we have a big holiday. 

[probingoduke 20]

Just now, lcandcl said:

Congratss!! I am so happy for you! Question: They did not ask about your I944? I sent the documents on 02/21 but the received in the letter is 02/24. I was a little bit worry about that. 

Thank you. Since our PD is 02/21 we were confident that i944 would not be needed. If you have a post mark receipt of 02/21 you wont need a i944 nut you might want to prepare it just in case

[lcandcl 6]

2 minutes ago, probingoduke said:

Thank you. Since our PD is 02/21 we were confident that i944 would not be needed. If you have a post mark receipt of 02/21 you wont need a i944 nut you might want to prepare it just in case

Also, when did you do your medical examination? and how long it takes to get ready? I did mine yesterday and my interview is on 12/01 I do not know if this is enough time since next week we have a big holiday. 

[probingoduke 20]

3 minutes ago, lcandcl said:

Also, when did you do your medical examination? and how long it takes to get ready? I did mine yesterday and my interview is on 12/01 I do not know if this is enough time since next week we have a big holiday. 

I did my medical in June. It took about 2 days. Ask the clinic how quickly they can do it. We had a bunch of them nearby charging anywhere from $300-$600 but varied on dates a lot. Best to just get it as fast as you can guaranteed

[AFCF 273]

6 hours ago, probingoduke said:

Hello to all. Thank you so much for your advice, encouragement, help and compassion. We had our interview in the morning at the Boston, MA office.

 

I'm going to try and keep this detailed for anyone looking for tips/guide. Please feel free to ask any questions.

 

TLDR:

Our PD: Feb 21, 2020. Package sent without I693.

Mid march: Received notices.

June RFE: For Birth Certificate. Received in early June. Responded within a week. We were able to get my BC online and sent supplementary evidence like school marksheet.

July I693 Deficiency Notice

Early August: Reached out to Congressman's office in August and coincidentally/thanks to inquiry by CM office we got our i485/i765 bio for Aug 11.

Aug 11: 4hrs after bio I765 updated to show fingerprints were taken. 12 hrs after bio I485 updated to show fingerprints were taken.

Aug 17: I485 updated to 'Ready to schedule interview.

Nov 1: Received 2 mails (no online status update). 1 for bio appt for i131 set for nov 10. 2 for interview notice set for nov 18.

Nov 10: 1 hour after bio I131 updated to show Fingerprints were taken.

Nov 18: 1 hour after interview I485 changed to 'New card being produced'. I130 changed to 'Interview was completed and case sent for initial review.

 

Tips for Boston office:

• Dress business casual. Prefer not to wear a suit.
• Try taking public transport. 
• If driving in, prepare for $$$ parking.
• Multiple garages near building but bad sign directions.
• Typically takes us 30 mins to reach office but today all routes had accidents so it took us 1 hour 40 mins. Always account for the unknown. Or get a new yorker partner like me.
• You will most likely be separately interviewed. Typically, the petitioner goes in first with all docs and evidences. Boston officers are generally very friendly.
• If you have an attorney, the officer can offer you to go in with your spouse instead of going in with your attorney. Our attorney recommended going in with them instead.
• Entrance foe visitors is on Cambridge street so try looking for signs or park at Boston food market garage.
• When you enter the building, you will be asked to remove belt, shoes and jacket like at an airport TSA. Account time for that.
• When you enter the interview waiting hall you will be asked 'have you been outside mass in the last 14 days?'

Package preparation:

• The interview notice comes with a list of items to be brought. Just focus on that.
• We hired an attorney so he gave us a run through of the same and did a 'prep interview'.
• We made one folder to keep documents in the series mentioned as per the interview letter: Interview letter & Passports, I693, I864, BC and so on.
• Try getting tax transcripts from IRS website right away
• Try getting a letter from your bank/cc company sharing that you own joint cards and accounts.
• We made another folder for the 'thick materials' like 12 months of bank statements, 12 months of CC statements, 12 months of phone bills and since we don't have a lease as proof of living together we had collected mail over the year.
• We also made 3 photo albums. 1 depicting our story on how we met and all. 1 of our small wedding ceremony. 1 of our rescue animals (my wife runs a rescue so we have saved about 150 animals. Try making a similar album for hobbies/things that you and your partner do together (it will help, can even just be an album of your messages etc.)
• We had also printed out all our air/bus/hotel/Airbnb reservations and tickets.
• Receipts for gifts we got each other.
• We also asked our friends to write letters stating how long they knew us, when they met us last and all.
• Backpacks/luggage are not allowed. Try preparing to have a transparent bag or hand carry docs with you.

Questions asked (overall interview time 45 mins). Very conversational:

 

My wife went first and after taking an oath was asked the following:

• Drivers license and Passport to verify her name, address (how long she has lived there) and parents name.
• Any former names
• If this was her 2nd marriage and what her ex husbands name is
• Why first marriage ended and when did he move out
• How we met
• Did her ex ever meet me
• Proof of bonafide marriage: Photo album
• How many pets and their names/breeds
• How we first met, what we did on our first date, when I met the pets, how i liked them
• Took tickets to events we attended and Airbnb reservations.
• Took CC Letter, tax transcripts
• My work status, what kind of job i did, work from home or on site, what my company did, what my work status was
• What visa I had and previously had
• Whether she had any dietary restrictions (she saw that I got her vegan cake)
• What was our fav restaurant
• What we liked to cook at home
• When I went vegan
• How her business was going with covid

Then I was called in and after oath was asked (conversationally):

• Drivers license and Passport to verify my name, address, and parents name.
• Any former names
• If this was my or wife's 2nd marriage and what her ex husbands name is
• When did ex husband move out
• When did i move in
• How we met
• Did her ex ever meet me
• How many pets and their names/breeds
• How we first met, what we did on our first date, when I met the pets, how i liked them
• What things we did together
• My work status, what kind of job i did, work from home or on site, what my company did, what my work status was
• What visa I had and previously had
• Whether I had any dietary restrictions
• What we liked to cook at home
• How her business was going with covid

Then we went through our I485 questions (whether I'm terrorist, communist etc)

Took photo with webcam.

Took index fingerprints on both hands.

Confirmed 1 change that I was unemployed since we filed and I signed on that

 

Then she said I should be getting a letter soon and it may be my GC for 2 years. Briefly told me about ROC. She was shocked that I had 2 appts for bio.

 

We thanked her and that's all.

Congratulations and thank you for sharing! 

[probingoduke 20]

7 hours ago, chxakx said:

Congratulations and thank you for sharing! 

Thank you!

[Dis_Guy 25]

15 hours ago, probingoduke said:

Hello to all. Thank you so much for your advice, encouragement, help and compassion. We had our interview in the morning at the Boston, MA office.

 

I'm going to try and keep this detailed for anyone looking for tips/guide. Please feel free to ask any questions.

 

TLDR:

Our PD: Feb 21, 2020. Package sent without I693.

Mid march: Received notices.

June RFE: For Birth Certificate. Received in early June. Responded within a week. We were able to get my BC online and sent supplementary evidence like school marksheet.

July I693 Deficiency Notice

Early August: Reached out to Congressman's office in August and coincidentally/thanks to inquiry by CM office we got our i485/i765 bio for Aug 11.

Aug 11: 4hrs after bio I765 updated to show fingerprints were taken. 12 hrs after bio I485 updated to show fingerprints were taken.

Aug 17: I485 updated to 'Ready to schedule interview.

Nov 1: Received 2 mails (no online status update). 1 for bio appt for i131 set for nov 10. 2 for interview notice set for nov 18.

Nov 10: 1 hour after bio I131 updated to show Fingerprints were taken.

Nov 18: 1 hour after interview I485 changed to 'New card being produced'. I130 changed to 'Interview was completed and case sent for initial review.

 

Tips for Boston office:

• Dress business casual. Prefer not to wear a suit.
• Try taking public transport. 
• If driving in, prepare for $$$ parking.
• Multiple garages near building but bad sign directions.
• Typically takes us 30 mins to reach office but today all routes had accidents so it took us 1 hour 40 mins. Always account for the unknown. Or get a new yorker partner like me.
• You will most likely be separately interviewed. Typically, the petitioner goes in first with all docs and evidences. Boston officers are generally very friendly.
• If you have an attorney, the officer can offer you to go in with your spouse instead of going in with your attorney. Our attorney recommended going in with them instead.
• Entrance foe visitors is on Cambridge street so try looking for signs or park at Boston food market garage.
• When you enter the building, you will be asked to remove belt, shoes and jacket like at an airport TSA. Account time for that.
• When you enter the interview waiting hall you will be asked 'have you been outside mass in the last 14 days?'

Package preparation:

• The interview notice comes with a list of items to be brought. Just focus on that.
• We hired an attorney so he gave us a run through of the same and did a 'prep interview'.
• We made one folder to keep documents in the series mentioned as per the interview letter: Interview letter & Passports, I693, I864, BC and so on.
• Try getting tax transcripts from IRS website right away
• Try getting a letter from your bank/cc company sharing that you own joint cards and accounts.
• We made another folder for the 'thick materials' like 12 months of bank statements, 12 months of CC statements, 12 months of phone bills and since we don't have a lease as proof of living together we had collected mail over the year.
• We also made 3 photo albums. 1 depicting our story on how we met and all. 1 of our small wedding ceremony. 1 of our rescue animals (my wife runs a rescue so we have saved about 150 animals. Try making a similar album for hobbies/things that you and your partner do together (it will help, can even just be an album of your messages etc.)
• We had also printed out all our air/bus/hotel/Airbnb reservations and tickets.
• Receipts for gifts we got each other.
• We also asked our friends to write letters stating how long they knew us, when they met us last and all.
• Backpacks/luggage are not allowed. Try preparing to have a transparent bag or hand carry docs with you.

Questions asked (overall interview time 45 mins). Very conversational:

 

My wife went first and after taking an oath was asked the following:

• Drivers license and Passport to verify her name, address (how long she has lived there) and parents name.
• Any former names
• If this was her 2nd marriage and what her ex husbands name is
• Why first marriage ended and when did he move out
• How we met
• Did her ex ever meet me
• Proof of bonafide marriage: Photo album
• How many pets and their names/breeds
• How we first met, what we did on our first date, when I met the pets, how i liked them
• Took tickets to events we attended and Airbnb reservations.
• Took CC Letter, tax transcripts
• My work status, what kind of job i did, work from home or on site, what my company did, what my work status was
• What visa I had and previously had
• Whether she had any dietary restrictions (she saw that I got her vegan cake)
• What was our fav restaurant
• What we liked to cook at home
• When I went vegan
• How her business was going with covid

Then I was called in and after oath was asked (conversationally):

• Drivers license and Passport to verify my name, address, and parents name.
• Any former names
• If this was my or wife's 2nd marriage and what her ex husbands name is
• When did ex husband move out
• When did i move in
• How we met
• Did her ex ever meet me
• How many pets and their names/breeds
• How we first met, what we did on our first date, when I met the pets, how i liked them
• What things we did together
• My work status, what kind of job i did, work from home or on site, what my company did, what my work status was
• What visa I had and previously had
• Whether I had any dietary restrictions
• What we liked to cook at home
• How her business was going with covid

Then we went through our I485 questions (whether I'm terrorist, communist etc)

Took photo with webcam.

Took index fingerprints on both hands.

Confirmed 1 change that I was unemployed since we filed and I signed on that

 

Then she said I should be getting a letter soon and it may be my GC for 2 years. Briefly told me about ROC. She was shocked that I had 2 appts for bio.

 

We thanked her and that's all.

Congrats. This is really detailed and helpful.

 

Question though, why did you need the tax transcripts? And did they actually look at the docs? if so, which ones?

 

Thanks.

[Cassie5 8]

Hi everyone,

   I had my interview yesterday at Boston. So happy to let you guys know that we got approved.

[lcandcl 6]

5 minutes ago, Cassie5 said:

Hi everyone,

   I had my interview yesterday at Boston. So happy to let you guys know that we got approved.

Congrats! Could you please share your experience? Also when isyour PD? mine is 02/24 but I sent the package on 02/21 I do not know if they will ask for the I944. One more question: How long it took to get your medical examination? I did mine Tuesday 11/17 and interview is on 12/01 not sure if it will be ready since it is holidays next week. 

 

Thank you.