January 2024 - AOS Filers

[madmanmike 191]

 

(Welcome Message copied from December  2023 group)
Hello January 2024 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!

[madmanmike 191]

Hello all. My wife and I submitted our packet on 24 January via UPS. 

 

Received by Tempe, AZ on the 26th. 
 

No notification as yet, check has not been cashed. 
 

Let’s go!!!

Edited January 30 by madmanmike

[Eddie101 87]

On 1/30/2024 at 11:56 AM, madmanmike said:

Hello all. My wife and I submitted our packet on 24 January via UPS. 

 

Received by Tempe, AZ on the 26th. 
 

No notification as yet, check has not been cashed. 
 

Let’s go!!!

Good luck and a speedy processing!

[madmanmike 191]

1 minute ago, Eddie101 said:

Good luck and a speedy processing!

Thanks. It’s been a week, no text and the check has not been cashed. Heh heh. Flashbacks to the K1 process. 

[fellaamazing 72]

First filed in December. Got rejection for mixed payment method (credit card and check). Sent again, which reached January 26th. Fingers crossed

[Tzgeneration 39]

Filed AOS with FEDEX on Friday 1/26/24,In between weekend, received on Monday 1/29/24 and obtained signature to confirm delivery. Filed from WA State to Chicago, Illinois. Husband received a text with receipt  number IOE on 2/2/24 stating “ case was received and a receipt notice sent”, uploaded IOE on uscis case tracker and in few minutes it stated biometrics scheduled and a letter mailed. Let us know if you haven’t received letter by 03/04/24. 
It’s now a waiting game. 
 

Good luck everyone. 

[gwy309 0]

Filed AOS on January 19 with USPS to Chicago P.O. Box.

On January 26, we received three text confirmations from USCIS that our case was received (submitted I-485 and I-864 along with I-765 and I-131). The check was cashed the same day.

Checked the case status on USCIS tracker and they have scheduled a biometrics appointment. Have not yet received any letters / physical copies of the appointment notice. It states to request a copy of the notice through their website if we have not received it by February 28.

[Eddie101 87]

On 2/2/2024 at 8:20 AM, madmanmike said:

Thanks. It’s been a week, no text and the check has not been cashed. Heh heh. Flashbacks to the K1 process. 

Cross fingers to show up soon. Our AOS went lightening fast, hope that for you, too!

[madmanmike 191]

36 minutes ago, Eddie101 said:

Cross fingers to show up soon. Our AOS went lightening fast, hope that for you, too!

Thanks for the positivity.  I see so many folks send to the Chicago lockbox and things speed along. I’ve not seen any others that sent to the Pheonix lockbox. 😕

[KaitlinL 9]

I mailed my AOS last week through UPS and it went to the Chicago Lockdown. The UPS said it was delivered to the mail room, is that correct? I haven’t gotten any texts to confirm they received it yet and I can’t check my online portal since I got a new phone number and can’t get into my account. 🙄

[Tzgeneration 39]

1 hour ago, KaitlinL said:

I mailed my AOS last week through UPS and it went to the Chicago Lockdown. The UPS said it was delivered to the mail room, is that correct? I haven’t gotten any texts to confirm they received it yet and I can’t check my online portal since I got a new phone number and can’t get into my account. 🙄

Request UPS to give you the track number and then see if someone signed for it. I did request FEDEX to get signature when I was mailing and requested to put fragile and I took a picture to confirm incase something went wrong. Good luck. 

[KaitlinL 9]

18 minutes ago, Tzgeneration said:

Request UPS to give you the track number and then see if someone signed for it. I did request FEDEX to get signature when I was mailing and requested to put fragile and I took a picture to confirm incase something went wrong. Good luck. 

Someone did sign for it I guess! Is that a good thing?

[Tzgeneration 39]

4 hours ago, KaitlinL said:

Someone did sign for it I guess! Is that a good thing?

That’s good. You will get feedback. I requested to expedite due to some circumstances but not sure if that was the reason for quick response. But I see some people from Chicago got quick feedback. Finger crossed. 

[Oak1982 16]

Wow, the speed at which this process can move is so refreshing after the long K1 wait! We mailed our AOS/EAD/AP application packet on 12/29, got a receipt date of 1/2/24, had biometics this past Monday, and today we were notified that Employment Authorization and Advance Parole have been approved! Just over a month and we've already made huge progress! Sending positive vibes to all others with AOS/EAD/AP pending - don't give up hope! 

[Tzgeneration 39]

3 minutes ago, Oak1982 said:

Wow, the speed at which this process can move is so refreshing after the long K1 wait! We mailed our AOS/EAD/AP application packet on 12/29, got a receipt date of 1/2/24, had biometics this past Monday, and today we were notified that Employment Authorization and Advance Parole have been approved! Just over a month and we've already made huge progress! Sending positive vibes to all others with AOS/EAD/AP pending - don't give up hope! 

Congratulations, where did u send your case?