December 2022 - AOS Filers

[KSVJ 216]

Hello December 2022 AOS filers another month another round of AOS submissions,  Please be aware that this checklist is NOT all inclusive and you must consult the USCIS website to crosscheck this checklist against/with. The AOS process has been confusing since the pandemic hit, not to mention the added politics. So please I want to stress that you only use this check sheet as a starting point and guide if you will. The USCIS site will be the final guide. Please ensure that you check your forms for the correct versions and editions because if you use the wrong forms USCIS will reject your application and send it back to you. This is easily checked on the USCIS website prior to downloading your forms. You should also ONLY download your forms from the USCIS website.  The current and correct fees can also be ascertained from the USCIS website .

 

Just a side note before we get started  USCIS may decouple Forms I-765 and Form I-131 if filed jointly with Form I-485. Here is the quoted text taken directly from the USCIS website. "To improve efficiency and reduce Form I-765 processing times for Form I-485 applicants, USCIS may decouple Forms I-765 from Forms I-131 filed at the same time. Effective Feb. 1, 2022, when possible, we will adjudicate an applicant's Form I-765 first. If we approve it, we will issue an Employment Authorization Document without any notation about advanced parole. We will adjudicate the Form I-131 separately and if we approve it, we will issue an advance parole document". I know this is old news, but I thought it would be good to include it here for your knowledge.

 

What this means is some people elect to include three (3) copies of their marriage license / certificates one attached to each form (I-485, I-765 and I-131 respectively). I do not know of anyone receiving an RFE for a marriage license/certificate missing on the I-765 or the I-131 since USCIS has started doing this new way of adjudicating the AOS (the marriage license / certificate with form I-485 is required though). This is an age old concern that has been in play before this new way USCIS started adjudicating these forms. Some filers including me when I filed the AOS back in 2019 sent in three (3) copies of their marriage licenses / certificates. I did it then because of peace of mind and there were some RFEs given out for missing licenses / certificates (back then).  USCIS also used to issue Combo Cards, Employment Authorization Document and Advance Parole (EAD and AP combined in the same card). I've seen now where they have issued an EAD without the AP.  Whether you include three (3) copies of your marriage license / certificate is going to be your individual call when you file your AOS.  Having said that let's get into the checklist: 

 

 

AOS Checklist

• Cover Letter listing Table of Contents
• Check Payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security - $1,225.00 (this includes the Bio-metrics fee) 

 

Form I-485 (completed and signed by non-US Citizen/beneficiary)

• Form G-1145  
• Copy of beneficiary's Passport with biographical page 
• Copy of beneficiary's K1 Visa from Passport and entry stamp 
• Copy of NOA2 Approval letter (from K1 process) 
• I-94 
• Copy of beneficiary's Birth Certificate 
• translation of birth certificate (if needed)
• Certified copy of Marriage License or Certificate
• Passport Photos (2) name written on the back 
• Copy of DS-3025   

 

Form I-864 (completed and signed by USC) (goes with form I-485)

• Proof of USC's citizenship (copy of birth certificate, copy of passport bio page, or other)
•  Current tax year 2021 and (optional 2020 , 2019) Tax Return (with W-2) or Transcripts (transcripts are better if you can get them)
• Employment Verification letter (updated one - not the one used during K1 process) 
• Pay stubs (last 3 months)   

 

Form I-765 (completed and signed by non-US Citizen/beneficiary)

• Copy of beneficiary's Passport with biographical page 
• Copy of beneficiary's K1 Visa from Passport and entry stamp 
• I-94 
• Passport Photos (2) name written on the back 
• Copy of NOA2 (from K1 process)
• Be sure to use the correct filing code of (c)(9) if this code applies to you. The I-765 instructions explains all the codes in detail. If you are filing under a different code (other than (c)(9) the fee for your AOS will not be correct and USCIS will reject your entire packet.

 

Form I-131 (completed and signed by non-US Citizen/beneficiary)

• Copy of beneficiary's Passport with biographical page 
• Copy of beneficiary's K1 Visa from Passport and entry stamp 
• I-94 
• Passport Photos (2) name written on the back 
• Copy of NOA2 (from K1 process    

 

Be sure to double check for the current fees as fees do sometimes increase and they can change on a dime so please check. Additionally, check the forms as listed above i.e., current version and or edition date, there have been many changes to various forms. Consider sending tax transcripts instead of the 1040, and W2's. Also consider preparing a cover letter for each form in addition to the main cover letter. 

Make sure you send long form birth certificates and not the short form.  Hope this helps in your preparation of your AOS. When in doubt ask questions.

 

Please consider filing the I-131 and the I-765 even if you don't think you'll need them right now. You never know what changes your life will have on down the road, so I recommend you file these two forms from the start. There is no extra charge to file them with your AOS and it's better to submit them all at once.  There has been much confusion coming out of USCIS, partly due to Covid-19 and partly self-inflicted. This confusion filters on down to the people filing for AOS. The above listing is subject to change at a moment’s notice so please check, recheck and check again BEFORE you send off your packet for any last-minute changes.

 

 

Congratulations on a successful submission of your AOS packet!

[KSVJ 216]

I didn't see a December filer group so just posted this!

 

I just submitted my I-485, I-131, I-765, docs yesterday via FedEx. The next round of waiting begins 🙂

[mashtates 25]

Filed with USPS to Phoenix PO Box: Dec 3

USPS tracking shows delivered: Dec 5

No NOA1 texts yet.

[KSVJ 216]

12 minutes ago, mashtates said:

Filed with USPS to Phoenix PO Box: Dec 3

USPS tracking shows delivered: Dec 5

No NOA1 texts yet.

Mine went FedEx to the Elgin, IL lockbox and was delivered today. It'll be interesting to see how long everything takes.

[mashtates 25]

Just got my three texts - at 5am 🤣

They haven't cashed the check yet, which is weird because most people get their check cashed first it seems

[KSVJ 216]

7 minutes ago, mashtates said:

Just got my three texts - at 5am 🤣

They haven't cashed the check yet, which is weird because most people get their check cashed first it seems

that's exciting news! i've been checking my bank account frequently even though it was just delivered 2 days ago...just want those receipt numbers lol any update from USCIS is exciting since i know another one won't be coming for a while 😂

[KSVJ 216]

My check was cashed today. No texts or emails yet. Trying to wait patiently lol

[zedag 61]

We shipped last Wednesday, arrived on Friday at the Chicago Lockbox, no notifications yet. We sent money orders so no way to know when they deposit the money I guess.

[KSVJ 216]

3 hours ago, KSVJ said:

My check was cashed today. No texts or emails yet. Trying to wait patiently lol

starting to think i'm one of the unfortunates that filed the G-1145 and isn't going to get notifications...so i'll have to wait til they come in the mail. annoying 🙄

[mashtates 25]

Update:

-Received three receipt texts Friday Dec 9

-Check was cashed Saturday Dec 10

-Also on Saturday Dec 10, USCIS Case status shows that my biometrics were scheduled and that a notice has been sent

-Received three hard copy NOAs in the mail on Monday Dec 12. No biometrics letter yet..

Again for reference I filed to the Phoenix lockbox, also I live in AZ so not sure how times differ for various other states.

 

[KSVJ 216]

My husband just called USCIS because the check was cashed 2 days ago and no texts or emails...they looked up his name and DOB and said there are no receipts yet...I'm getting worried that it's going to slip through the cracks or something. I have 0 trust in USCIS.

[Fil&Em 285]

12 hours ago, mashtates said:

Update:

-Received three receipt texts Friday Dec 9

-Check was cashed Saturday Dec 10

-Also on Saturday Dec 10, USCIS Case status shows that my biometrics were scheduled and that a notice has been sent

-Received three hard copy NOAs in the mail on Monday Dec 12. No biometrics letter yet..

Again for reference I filed to the Phoenix lockbox, also I live in AZ so not sure how times differ for various other states.

 

We have a similar timeline. My case status was also changed on Saturday to Biometrics appointed, but no letter.

 

I also received on mail two NOAs, for AOS and Advance Parole. Work permit is still not here yet, although I know the case number. That weirds me out a little.

[KSVJ 216]

Just called USICS again. Was able to get the 3 receipt numbers and she said they were sent by mail on 12/13 with a receipt date of 12/7. I asked her why we didn't get any texts or emails and she just said that happens sometimes I'm not sure why. As long as they're accounted for that's all I care about at this point! 

[Fil&Em 285]

14 hours ago, KSVJ said:

Just called USICS again. Was able to get the 3 receipt numbers and she said they were sent by mail on 12/13 with a receipt date of 12/7. I asked her why we didn't get any texts or emails and she just said that happens sometimes I'm not sure why. As long as they're accounted for that's all I care about at this point! 

It is a sense of relieve to have them. At this point I'm not massively worried with having a missing NOA as I have the the receipt numbers texted, but I will be asking for another copy asap if it doesn't come until early next week. Would love to have the access codes, as I would like to know my biometrics appointment date.

[mashtates 25]

On 12/14/2022 at 10:34 PM, Fil&Em said:

We have a similar timeline. My case status was also changed on Saturday to Biometrics appointed, but no letter.

 

I also received on mail two NOAs, for AOS and Advance Parole. Work permit is still not here yet, although I know the case number. That weirds me out a little.

I received a letter today from USCIS with an online access code to set up an account on myUSCIS. I was able to see the biometrics appointment date/time letter in my online account; the physical copy still hasn’t arrived