APRIL 2020 AOS FILERS

[Tmac88 15]

12 hours ago, portorusa said:

Alleluia! 😀29 days, it gives us some hope. We are on the 20th day as of now, and still counting. What do the texts say, do they provide your case number?

Yeah they seem to be either right on the ball and giving out NOAs within a week or two, or pushing it right up to the 4 week / 30 day mark. I had emailed the Chicago Lockbox about a week and a half ago to ask about our case. I heard it takes 15 days to get a response from them so if you haven’t yet, maybe try that. Who knows if it had any impact on us getting our texts finally. And yes the texts had the 3 case numbers. Good luck!

[Tmac88 15]

1 hour ago, RCable said:

Yay! Congrats!

It gives me a little hope. We are at 22 days now and waiting. We didn't know about sending the I-131 along with the I-485 package. So now we have to wait for our NOA1 so we can file that. We've had a trip planned forever in October, but I don't know if we'll get the Advanced Parole in time now. (We had originally started on the CR1 visa path, we got DQ at NVC, but Canada had a backlog of 4-6 months for the interviews BEFORE COVID-19. So, we decided to switch to AOS so we wouldn't have to separate even more. If nothing had happened, we would have had the CR1 around August)

This whole wait is tough. For everyone 

Thanks! I did email the Chicago lockbox about a week and a half ago you ask about our case. It can take up to 15 days for a response from them and if it reaches 30 days, uscis will tell you to do that before anything else. You might email them now - maybe it had an impact!

[YvetteS 178]

49 minutes ago, SeanDowney0309 said:

Hi all, 

 

We are putting our AOS package together and hoping to send off this weekend. I have a quick question regarding writing my name and A number. I know this should be written on all additional supporting evidence...but should I also write my name and A number on all photocopies too? Like the photocopies of my birth certificate, passport etc?

 

Thanks 

Nope- don't need it on photocopies. Just any additional letters/ statements wriiten by you and any "additional information" pages you duplicated.

 

In additon to anywhere you write your name and A-number, also sign and date those pages. I believe the instructions say to also do that. I did that and I have received my NOA's. 

[Tmac88 15]

are they still scheduling biometrics appointments with field offices closed? I know they are reusing previously taken biometrics when possible, and I know our field office is due to tentatively reopen June 4th. Just wondering if anyone has received a letter with a bio appointment scheduled for a later time or if that’s even happening?

[YvetteS 178]

Does anyone knows what happens if you applied for a SSN on the I-765, but end up getting one sooner by going into a social security office? Will I end up with two SSN?

[YvetteS 178]

6 minutes ago, Tmac88 said:

are they still scheduling biometrics appointments with field offices closed? I know they are reusing previously taken biometrics when possible, and I know our field office is due to tentatively reopen June 4th. Just wondering if anyone has received a letter with a bio appointment scheduled for a later time or if that’s even happening?

I've asked this question in the February and March filers thread as well, and it seems they are not scheduling biometrics appointments during the closures

[Rich1974 19]

2 hours ago, PatSquared said:

@Viking - Thanks for the info!

 

The “Case Returned to Agency” update popped up again when I logged into the SAVE system. My husband just called the office and it seemed like they couldn’t see the corrected data on their end yet either. We’re just crossing our fingers and hoping that it doesn’t take too long to sort out,  since his I-94 will expire in a month. 

@PatSquared thanks for the information 😊, I didn’t realise you could log onto the SAVE system ourselves?? I’ve given up on trying again with the SS offices as I spent a lot of time and frustratingly got nowhere, I’m hoping I get one quickly when I submit the AOS packet, does anyone know a timeline for this??? With this new I-944 form I think having the SSN is essential as it allows you to easily get health insurance which is pretty much a requirement of the form or at least helps a lot it seems....

Edited May 14, 2020 by Rich1974
Grammar

[Rich1974 19]

49 minutes ago, YvetteS said:

I'm so sorry to hear that. Truly frustrating. I have also applied for SSN through AOS... but if the offices re-open soon I might try and get one at the office.. not sure if that will mean I end up with 2 SSN's, but I will just explain the situation and see what they say.

@YvetteS thank you, it is frustrating, it’s cost me a lot of extra money purchasing a renewable 3-month health insurance plan and I seem to come across so many things that require an SSN that they should make it easier to get for a K1 or any other visa that requires you to require it... hopefully we get the SSN soon after applying for AOS, here’s hoping!!!

[YvetteS 178]

2 minutes ago, Rich1974 said:

@PatSquared thanks for the information 😊, I didn’t realise you could log onto the SAVE system ourselves?? I’ve given up on trying again with the SS offices as I spent a lot of time and frustratingly got nowhere, I’m hoping I get one quickly when I submit the AOS packet, does anyone know a timeline for this??? With this new I-944 form I think having the SSN is essential as it allows you to easily get health insurance which is pretty much a requirement of the form or at least helps a lot it seems....

So I just called my SSA and they said that the need for health insurance is classified as a "dire need" to get a SSN. I am now waiting on someone to call me back and let me know if I can get an appointment. I literally told him I know of others in my same situation who are being granted interviews and I do not understand why they won't grant me one. So we'll see what they say when they call me back. 

 

I believe you get your SSN through AOS when your I-765 is approved... which can be from 3-6 months (I think that's the average). I have a friend in NY who got his AOS/I765 approved in 4 months back in January... it's strange they got approved within a week of each other and so quickly, but it does happen! Most people though I think wait about 6 months for I765. That's just what I took away from the timelines given on Visajourney. 

[YvetteS 178]

1 minute ago, Rich1974 said:

@YvetteS thank you, it is frustrating, it’s cost me a lot of extra money purchasing a renewable 3-month health insurance plan and I seem to come across so many things that require an SSN that they should make it easier to get for a K1 or any other visa that requires you to require it... hopefully we get the SSN soon after applying for AOS, here’s hoping!!!

I have international private health insurance through Cigna Global.. I did a lot of research and they seem to have good coverage and are reasonable cost. They are only available for expats living in US, so it will not cover a USC spouse unfortunately.

[Rich1974 19]

16 minutes ago, YvetteS said:

So I just called my SSA and they said that the need for health insurance is classified as a "dire need" to get a SSN. I am now waiting on someone to call me back and let me know if I can get an appointment. I literally told him I know of others in my same situation who are being granted interviews and I do not understand why they won't grant me one. So we'll see what they say when they call me back. 

 

I believe you get your SSN through AOS when your I-765 is approved... which can be from 3-6 months (I think that's the average). I have a friend in NY who got his AOS/I765 approved in 4 months back in January... it's strange they got approved within a week of each other and so quickly, but it does happen! Most people though I think wait about 6 months for I765. That's just what I took away from the timelines given on Visajourney. 

@YvetteSwow, let me know how you go, my I-94 expires on the 25th of this month and just assumed that I wouldn’t now be able to get one...

[AC&MH 70]

2 hours ago, taximan683 said:

Yes, a separate one is required. I was rejected for not including a separate one. It appears that it would just be a copy of the one you filled out for the K-1. I resubmitted after rejection and I put the K2 (child) name first and the K1(wife) as family member I'm also sponsoring. I re-read the instructions now and I'm afraid I'll be rejected again. Someone else on a thread said that the K2's 864 can just be a copy of the K1's, so maybe I messed up again? But, yeah, definitely include a second 864 for the K2. Good luck. Make sure you include 2 of each form, and I would attach copies of all the evidence twice if I did it all over again. I'm waiting...

Well I guess I shouldn't be surprised...whatever the exact opposite of the most sensible thing to do is what USCIS does in nearly all things. Our tax dollars at work....

[YvetteS 178]

49 minutes ago, Rich1974 said:

@YvetteSwow, let me know how you go, my I-94 expires on the 25th of this month and just assumed that I wouldn’t now be able to get one...

I've managed to secure an appointment for this afternoon! Crazy! I couldn't believe it. Call your office and tell them you have a dire need, which is to get health insurance.

[PatSquared 57]

1 hour ago, Rich1974 said:

@PatSquared thanks for the information 😊, I didn’t realise you could log onto the SAVE system ourselves?? I’ve given up on trying again with the SS offices as I spent a lot of time and frustratingly got nowhere, I’m hoping I get one quickly when I submit the AOS packet, does anyone know a timeline for this??? With this new I-944 form I think having the SSN is essential as it allows you to easily get health insurance which is pretty much a requirement of the form or at least helps a lot it seems....

Yes! If SSA submitted a manual verification request, you can check updates on your case here: https://www.uscis.gov/save/save-casecheck

 

You should be able to find your case by inputting your Passport or I-94 number.

 

My husband has thankfully been able to get by without an SSN so far and we were able to submit our evidence for our AOS packet without it. I’ve read many posts from people who were able to get health insurance and who insist that it is not a requirement for coverage here. I know that each company operates differently, but I hope you’re able to find a good option or alternative for the time being.

 

Everything about this process is so mind-boggling and had only been made worse by this pandemic. Regardless, I know we’ll make it to other side eventually.

Edited May 14, 2020 by PatSquared

[PatSquared 57]

3 minutes ago, YvetteS said:

I've managed to secure an appointment for this afternoon! Crazy! I couldn't believe it. Call your office and tell them you have a dire need, which is to get health insurance.

@YvetteS, this is amazing news! I’m so glad that you persisted!

 

Really hoping that it will be an easy process for you and that you’re able to leave the office with a number on-hand without any need for further manual verification. Please keep us posted!