AOS taking forever.. no word since 11/6/20

[ak5285 20]

Long story short: Husband came here July 2020 on a K1 visa, we got married in Aug. 2020, submitted attempt 1 at his AOS packet in September. Got denied due to some errors, resubmitted in October and got NOA1 on Nov. 6, 2020. We have heard absolutely nothing since. I don't know if he needs a biometric next, or if he would just do his green card interview, but at this rate we have no idea what's next because they haven't said a word in almost 8 months. Our receipt # is from the National Benefits Center; our local office is Indianapolis.

 

I know it always takes long and is even more delayed due to COVID, but this is putting a huge strain on our family. He needs to be able to work and visit his family abroad. Not being able to do so has been extremely hard for him, obviously. It's putting us in a difficult spot financially as well. I'm aware that this process often takes quite awhile, but I want to see if there is anything at all we can do to help move things along. 

 

Does anyone have suggestions for how to help move things forward? Or get a timeline of sorts? We did reach out to a senator or two, which I just learned is a thing, but not sure if that'll help. Any suggestions appreciated!

[Scandi 4,166]

You only filed in October 2020, that's nothing. Expect the whole AOS process to take at least 1,5-2 years, be happy if it goes faster than that. 

 

If your field office is slow and the interview is ~2 years out, they have no reason to ask for biometrics early on. There's still plenty of time to get that done. 

 

EAD/AP can take up to 10 months right now. 

Edited June 17, 2021 by Scandi

[Chancy 6,241]

8 minutes ago, ak5285 said:

got NOA1 on Nov. 6, 2020. We have heard absolutely nothing since.

 

Your husband's case is still within the current estimate for I-765 processing, which is 5.5 to 10.5 months -- https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/

 

[payxibka 10,045]

15 minutes ago, ak5285 said:

Long story short: Husband came here July 2020 on a K1 visa, we got married in Aug. 2020, submitted attempt 1 at his AOS packet in September. Got denied due to some errors, resubmitted in October and got NOA1 on Nov. 6, 2020. We have heard absolutely nothing since. I don't know if he needs a biometric next, or if he would just do his green card interview, but at this rate we have no idea what's next because they haven't said a word in almost 8 months. Our receipt # is from the National Benefits Center; our local office is Indianapolis.

 

I know it always takes long and is even more delayed due to COVID, but this is putting a huge strain on our family. He needs to be able to work and visit his family abroad. Not being able to do so has been extremely hard for him, obviously. It's putting us in a difficult spot financially as well. I'm aware that this process often takes quite awhile, but I want to see if there is anything at all we can do to help move things along. 

 

Does anyone have suggestions for how to help move things forward? Or get a timeline of sorts? We did reach out to a senator or two, which I just learned is a thing, but not sure if that'll help. Any suggestions appreciated!

He needs biometrics for EAD.  You should also call and talk to a tier 2 officer 

[ak5285 20]

1 minute ago, Scandi said:

You only filed in October 2020, that's nothing. Expect the whole AOS process to take at least 1,5-2 years, be happy if it goes faster than that. 

 

If your field office is slow and the interview is ~2 years out, they have no reason to ask for biometrics early on. There's still plenty of time to get that done. 

 

EAD/AP can take up to 10 months right now. 

Yeah... like I said, I know it can take a long time. I know that the EAD and AOS are technically separate too, even tho we filed them together. I guess I was hoping to see if there's any way to at least move ONE of them along... or get indication that ONE of them will come soon. Sounds like we could be close to the EAD.

Just now, payxibka said:

He needs biometrics for EAD.  You should also call and talk to a tier 2 officer 

How do we do that? I'm not sure what a tier 2 officer is.

[payxibka 10,045]

1 minute ago, ak5285 said:

Yeah... like I said, I know it can take a long time. I know that the EAD and AOS are technically separate too, even tho we filed them together. I guess I was hoping to see if there's any way to at least move ONE of them along... or get indication that ONE of them will come soon. Sounds like we could be close to the EAD.

How do we do that? I'm not sure what a tier 2 officer is.

Now is the time to learn.. You call the uscis and you explain your situation to the tier 1 and request a tier 2.

Edited June 17, 2021 by payxibka

[ak5285 20]

1 minute ago, payxibka said:

Now is the time to learn.. You call the uscis and you explain your situation to the tier 1 and request a tier 2.

I see. I've never been able to get a human being when I call them. If there's a certain way I need to call then I'm all ears.

[payxibka 10,045]

15 minutes ago, ak5285 said:

I see. I've never been able to get a human being when I call them. If there's a certain way I need to call then I'm all ears.

I know they change the phone tree from time to time, last time I called i kept saying "I don't know"  until the system finally connected me.  Just be aware,  the uscis will not talk to you unless the primary applicant gives there express permission.  So make sure the applicant is with you and available. 

[carmel34 3,633]

54 minutes ago, ak5285 said:

He needs to be able to work

If he has a written job offer, he could submit that and ask for an expedited EAD.  Others have done this successfully, although it can take a few months...  EAD/AP/AOS and the long wait times are a big disadvantage of the K-1.  Good luck!

[K1visaHopeful 2,817]

Indy is 14 to 26 months for family based I485.

 

You can monitor the processing times on the website yourself (and for I765/I131 at the NBC) here:

 

https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/

 

K1 AOS is not easy. It comes with a strict warning that anyone not up for the financial and psychological affects of not being able to do anything for 1 to 2 years should avoid the process altogether and get married and file a Spousal Visa abroad instead (no I'm not scolding. I'm typing for others reading).

 

Expedite your EAD with a job offer letter.

That's the most you can do.

 

Biometrics can take place at the very end of the I765 process due to Covid so it been taking 10 months right now, you really have no reason to call for biometrics as you only filed 8 months ago.

Once you are outside of normal processing times for EAD, you can place an online enquiry through the website but it likely won't come to that.

 

You're almost there (to EAD). Not much to do but expedite it with job or wait.

[ak5285 20]

12 minutes ago, K1visaHopeful said:

Indy is 14 to 26 months for family based I485.

 

You can monitor the processing times on the website yourself (and for I765/I131 at the NBC) here:

 

https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/

 

K1 AOS is not easy. It comes with a strict warning that anyone not up for the financial and psychological affects of not being able to do anything for 1 to 2 years should avoid the process altogether and get married and file a Spousal Visa abroad instead (no I'm not scolding. I'm typing for others reading).

 

Expedite your EAD with a job offer letter.

That's the most you can do.

 

Biometrics can take place at the very end of the I765 process due to Covid so it been taking 10 months right now, you really have no reason to call for biometrics as you only filed 8 months ago.

Once you are outside of normal processing times for EAD, you can place an online enquiry through the website but it likely won't come to that.

 

You're almost there (to EAD). Not much to do but expedite it with job or wait.

I appreciate your response. I see that now about the K1... we didn't really look into K3 because we were worried it would raise more flags getting married  first and then asking for the government's blessing. I admit that we probably should've looked into it more. 

 

For the job offer letter, does it need to be a certain type of job for them to consider expediting? Or can it be anything?

Edited June 17, 2021 by ak5285

[K1visaHopeful 2,817]

14 minutes ago, ak5285 said:

I appreciate your response. I see that now about the K1... we didn't really look into K3 because we were worried it would raise more flags getting married  first and then asking for the government's blessing. I admit that we probably should've looked into it more. 

CR1, K3 is obsolete.

14 minutes ago, ak5285 said:

 

For the job offer letter, does it need to be a certain type of job for them to consider expediting? Or can it be anything?

Anything.

[LP0704 22]

In USCIS website, Go to contact us and chat to Emma, put in  case status > connect to live agent/ type in live agent>  ask them where it is in the process or if you have a biometrics scheduled soon. I know right now all the Aug / Sept 2020 are getting biometrics. We got our 5/17 and the combo card 5/ 27 . 

[SalishSea 17,836]

7 hours ago, ak5285 said:

Long story short: Husband came here July 2020 on a K1 visa, we got married in Aug. 2020, submitted attempt 1 at his AOS packet in September. Got denied due to some errors, resubmitted in October and got NOA1 on Nov. 6, 2020. We have heard absolutely nothing since. I don't know if he needs a biometric next, or if he would just do his green card interview, but at this rate we have no idea what's next because they haven't said a word in almost 8 months. Our receipt # is from the National Benefits Center; our local office is Indianapolis.

 

I know it always takes long and is even more delayed due to COVID, but this is putting a huge strain on our family. He needs to be able to work and visit his family abroad. Not being able to do so has been extremely hard for him, obviously. It's putting us in a difficult spot financially as well. I'm aware that this process often takes quite awhile, but I want to see if there is anything at all we can do to help move things along. 

 

Does anyone have suggestions for how to help move things forward? Or get a timeline of sorts? We did reach out to a senator or two, which I just learned is a thing, but not sure if that'll help. Any suggestions appreciated!

Ours took 14 months from application to interview date.

 

EAD/AP are currently taking around 8 months.

 

Senator cannot “speed” up your process, since it is well within the published processing times.   
 

These are well-known drawbacks of doing a K-1 vs CR-1, and yet people still choose the K-1 because their priority at the time is to be together the “fastest.”

Edited June 17, 2021 by Jorgedig

[Gomast 65]

1. Chill. You’re in for a long and uncertain process.  You need a lot of patience. 

2. My EAD was recently approved after 18 months, after submitting 2 expedited requests, 3 outside normal processing times requests, and 1 ombudsman request. I suggest you do the same.

 

3. My AOS has been pending since September 2019! I did my biometrics in October 2019. I haven’t heard anything since then.