December 2023 - AOS Filers

[Eddie101 87]

(Welcome Message copied from October 2023 group)
Hello December 2023 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 Form I-765 from Form 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 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,  also be aware that fees are supposed to increase in the near future so please double-check before you send your packet off!) 

 

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 2022 and (optional 2021, 2020) 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 the 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 explain 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 W2s. 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 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 the successful submission of your AOS packet!

[AnnaDT 81]

My husband and I filed in December for my Adjustment of Status, EAD, and AP. So far my timeline looks like this:

 

Packet sent: 12/04 (with UPS)

Packet delivered: 12/07

Credit Card charged: 12/11

Text with case numbers received: 12/12 ("On December 7, 2023, we received your form...")

Waiting for NOA1 in the mail

 

Hoping for a smooth and fast process for everyone🤞

[Eddie101 87]

7 minutes ago, AnnaDT said:

My husband and I filed in December for my Adjustment of Status, EAD, and AP. So far my timeline looks like this:

 

Packet sent: 12/04 (with UPS)

Packet delivered: 12/07

Credit Card charged: 12/11

Text with case numbers received: 12/12 ("On December 7, 2023, we received your form...")

Waiting for NOA1 in the mail

 

Hoping for a smooth and fast process for everyone🤞

Thanks.👍🍀 Waiting starts all over again...😅

[AnnaDT 81]

14 minutes ago, Eddie101 said:

Thanks.👍🍀 Waiting starts all over again...😅

Yes, wasn't really looking forward to the wait but things seem to have sped up a bit🤞

[Eddie101 87]

20 minutes ago, AnnaDT said:

Yes, wasn't really looking forward to the wait but things seem to have sped up a bit🤞

That would be phantastic👍 Wonder, if AP goes faster, too. Didn't really find a lot of info and stats data for it's processing times a bit thin. 

Edited December 14, 2023 by Eddie101

[AnnaDT 81]

1 hour ago, Eddie101 said:

That would be phantastic👍 Wonder, if AP goes faster, too. Didn't really find a lot of info and stats data for it's processing times a bit thin. 

I haven't seen a lot of stand alone AP approvals so I'm not sure! Most people seem to just receive the GC 

[Eddie101 87]

18 hours ago, AnnaDT said:

I haven't seen a lot of stand alone AP approvals so I'm not sure! Most people seem to just receive the GC 

Yeah, it seems like that. I was initially expecting it to be faster as some temporary travel document and the GC take longer.
EADs seem to go faster now.

[AnnaDT 81]

1 hour ago, Eddie101 said:

Yeah, it seems like that. I was initially expecting it to be faster as some temporary travel document and the GC take longer.
EADs seem to go faster now.

EADs are pretty fast now, the majority of cases I've seen take just a couple of months. I'm glad at least that's faster 

[Eddie101 87]

On 12/15/2023 at 9:52 AM, AnnaDT said:

EADs are pretty fast now, the majority of cases I've seen take just a couple of months. I'm glad at least that's faster 

Just saw in the October thread they got their GCs quickly!👍

[AnnaDT 81]

9 hours ago, Eddie101 said:

Just saw in the October thread they got their GCs quickly!👍

That’s great to hear, looking forward to our turn! 

[ss & mj 42]

Hello!

 

My husband and I filed  for his Adjustment of Status, EAD, and AP, using CC.  
So far our timeline looks like this:

 

Packet sent: 12/11 (with UPS)

Packet delivered: 12/15

Credit Card charged: 12/21

Text with case numbers received: 12/22 ("On December 15, 2023, we received your form...")

Waiting for NOA1 in the mail

 

Here’s hoping things go fast and smooth for us all (the comments in the October group which has  my fellow 129f filers is very encouraging!). 
 

happy holidays to all🤩

[Bri and Carlos 36]

Hi all, 

AOS packet delivered on 12/18 to Chicago, IL. We didn’t request the e-notification, but with the K1 application, the check was deposited and NOA1 was received quickly. This hasn’t been the case this time around. I’m sure it doesn’t help having 2 holidays back to back, but would you say this is a typical processing timeline? Thank you!

[AnnaDT 81]

9 hours ago, Bri and Carlos said:

Hi all, 

AOS packet delivered on 12/18 to Chicago, IL. We didn’t request the e-notification, but with the K1 application, the check was deposited and NOA1 was received quickly. This hasn’t been the case this time around. I’m sure it doesn’t help having 2 holidays back to back, but would you say this is a typical processing timeline? Thank you!

I’d say it’s pretty normal! I noticed it was quicker with the K-1 too, probably because the lockbox receives more petitions and the holidays don’t help
 

My CC was charged after 3 days and NOA1s (in the mail) were received after 11 days

[Bri and Carlos 36]

4 hours ago, AnnaDT said:

I’d say it’s pretty normal! I noticed it was quicker with the K-1 too, probably because the lockbox receives more petitions and the holidays don’t help
 

My CC was charged after 3 days and NOA1s (in the mail) were received after 11 days

Thank you! I see we’re both in CT so I’m definitely following you for updates!

[Eddie101 87]

On 12/29/2023 at 11:02 PM, Bri and Carlos said:

Hi all, 

AOS packet delivered on 12/18 to Chicago, IL. We didn’t request the e-notification, but with the K1 application, the check was deposited and NOA1 was received quickly. This hasn’t been the case this time around. I’m sure it doesn’t help having 2 holidays back to back, but would you say this is a typical processing timeline? Thank you!

Happy New Year!
Wishing everyone a speedy processing.

@Bri and Carlos,
did you get any feedback in the meantime?