April 2012 AOS Filers

[DC85 113]

I just received the I130 approval and the welcome letter in the mail

[SOflaherty 40]

You can get a DL with an EAD. The DL will only be valid for the length of the EAD. Majority are valid for 12 months.

Depends on the state and how long you have left on your I-94. AL for example won't do it if yours is expired, even with an EAD and i-797. They have to have absolute proof of current legal status.

[Shooli 2]

Just received a text/email saying my AP has been approved. Hopefully others will follow soon!

[DC85 113]

Just received a text/email saying my AP has been approved. Hopefully others will follow soon!

congrats

[ibee 7]

So, received on Friday NOA confirming cancellation of the July 13th interview at old location GREAT! But, I also received NOA cancelling our July 24th interview in Philly (current location) ?!??!?! so after freaking out for a while over the weekend, scheduled infopass on Thursday and hopefully SOMEONE will tell me why in the world BOTH of our interviews are cancelled .....

Edited July 3, 2012 by ibee

[chimcham 18]

Greencard received in the mail this afternoon. Journey is over for now...I really think we should all meet up again for ROC in 2014 (if applicable). I have nothing but positive thoughts for my April friends (and March friends still waiting).

I can't believe how much life changed in this year so far. It's surreal. I remember wondering when my husband would propose and all I wanted to do was be with him. When I got my text saying I was approved last week I broke down and started crying and told him all of it was for him. All I ever wanted was a life with him. I am very lucky, happy and blessed and I will never forget the feeling I had when it just all came together last week.

Its a great feeling and you will all feel the same (or already do!)

[ChrisPG 30]

Greencard received in the mail this afternoon. Journey is over for now...I really think we should all meet up again for ROC in 2014 (if applicable). I have nothing but positive thoughts for my April friends (and March friends still waiting).

I can't believe how much life changed in this year so far. It's surreal. I remember wondering when my husband would propose and all I wanted to do was be with him. When I got my text saying I was approved last week I broke down and started crying and told him all of it was for him. All I ever wanted was a life with him. I am very lucky, happy and blessed and I will never forget the feeling I had when it just all came together last week.

Its a great feeling and you will all feel the same (or already do!)

Congrats once again!

[DC85 113]

Greencard received in the mail this afternoon. Journey is over for now...I really think we should all meet up again for ROC in 2014 (if applicable). I have nothing but positive thoughts for my April friends (and March friends still waiting).

I can't believe how much life changed in this year so far. It's surreal. I remember wondering when my husband would propose and all I wanted to do was be with him. When I got my text saying I was approved last week I broke down and started crying and told him all of it was for him. All I ever wanted was a life with him. I am very lucky, happy and blessed and I will never forget the feeling I had when it just all came together last week.

Its a great feeling and you will all feel the same (or already do!)

Congrats

I also received an email stating that USPS picked my card , can't wait for Thursday

[ChrisPG 30]

I also received an email stating that USPS picked my card , can't wait for Thursday

I told you that you had nothing to worry about

You should receive it the mail within a couple of days.

[DC85 113]

I told you that you had nothing to worry about

You should receive it the mail within a couple of days.

thank u ChrisPG .u r awesome

[Mrsaveemac 0]

My first day back at work. Not sure if two months off was long enough, but thankful to be employed! Congrats on all the Eads and approvals!

[wifi 6]

AOS Interview Experience - Houston, TX

USCIS Location:

16504 Central Green Blvd

Houston, TX 77032

Google Maps: http://goo.gl/maps/ZESZ

Preamble

My interview for Adjustment of Status (AOS) was from a non-immigrant work visa and my U.S. Citizen wife was my petitioner. We did not require a co-sponsor as her income is above the minimum threshold to support a family of 2. We completed all of our forms with assistance from the book "Fiance and Marriage Visas: A couple's complete guide to US immigration" -- http://amzn.to/P7durd. We had the book prior to locating this site. During the AOS process we did not receive any Requests for Evidence (RFE).

Interview Preparation

We spent a considerable amount of time preparing for the AOS interview. We created a binder that contained the following:

- Original and color copy of all notices we received from the USCIS

- A complete copy (forms and supporting documents) of the original AOS filing we sent to Chicago (I-130, I-485, I-131, I-765, I-864)

- Original and color copy of all evidence related to our bona fide marriage (10 pictures with descriptions and dates, leases, travel itineraries, financial information, etc.)

- Bona fide marriage copies and originals were all held together with paperclips and easily accessed. I also provided a table of contents for easy review by the Immigration Officer (IO)

We spent no time practicing prior to the interview. I figured this would just make us nervous and it wasn't really required. USCIS isn't expecting you to know your spouse's every move. If you answer 95% of the questions correctly, you'll be fine.

Interview Day

We had an early morning interview -- 7 AM. We put on business slacks and button down shirts as we do for the office. We arrived at approx. 6:30 AM to find that we were not the first ones there. Please note that the USCIS building is up near George Bush Airport (IAH). If you live south of the location, Hardy Toll Road is the best method of access -- make sure you have an EZTAG as the toll booth heading to Central Greens Blvd is EZTAG only.

It took approx. 5 minutes to get through security. Similar to the airport you are subject to security screening using magnetometers and you need to take your shoes off. So make sure you can navigate security with relative ease. Don't wear difficult to remove cowboy boots, heavily laced up shoes, etc. Security will also verify your appointment letter -- make sure you have it in your hand as you walk into the building. Once you pass security, there's a small window directly to the right -- hand your interview letter to the person working. They will provide a sheet of paper to fill out (basic information) -- they have very few clipboards and pens. You should plan to bring your own pen.

You then take a seat and wait for your name to be called. I would recommend sitting as close to the brown door as possible to ensure you can hear the IO say your name. Many of them are soft spoken and it can be difficult to hear them 30 feet away if you're in the back of the room. From what I can tell, most if not all of the IOs are on time. We were called in right around our interview time by a very polite middle aged woman. She greeted us with a smile, introduced herself at the door and then led us to her office which was a few hundred feet away. We made small talk on the way to her office -- clearly she was gearing up for a busy day. All IO's interview 8 AOS applicants a day. So it is back to back all day, every day.

We were sworn in at her desk. She looked over our file to remind herself of who we were. She asked for our ID (passports, state ID, I94, SSNs, and EAD). She then let us know that I would answer details regarding my wife and vice versa. Full legal name, date of birth, current address, city and state of birth (and/or country) and date of marriage. She asked whether or not I had left the country since applying for AOS and prior to receiving Advance Parole. Finally she asked for evidence of our relationship and marriage -- I preceded to give her color copies of all the information I brought showing a bona fide relationship and marriage. A second reminder, bring copies for the IO -- they do not have time to deal with making copies. She flipped through our wedding album and handed it back. She didn't keep any pictures, my I94, EAD, etc -- just copies of the other evidence mentioned above.

She thanked us for our time. Asked if we had any additional questions. And let us know that she would render a decision in the next 30 days. We had simple banter on the way back to the brown door and we were off.

Post Interview

On the walk to the parking lot -- no more than a few hundred feet from the main building I received an email stating that card production had been ordered on my I-485. She must have done this while we were still in her office. And subsequently we've received the NOAs for the I485 and I130 approvals.

Postscript

Over the last decade I have interacted with many aspects of U.S. Immigration and Border Patrol. From simply entering the country for a tourist visit to work visas and finally the AOS process. I can say without a doubt the staff at the USCIS Houston office are the most professional, polite and punctual individuals I have interacted with. It is an understatement to say that it was a pleasure working with them on our interview date.

If you are appropriately prepared and your marriage is legitimate, then you have absolutely nothing to worry about. The IO's will treat you with the utmost professionalism and respect.

Timeline

[01] 04.19.2012: FedEx completed package to Chicago

[02] 04.20.2012: FedEx delivery confirmation

[06] 04.24.2012: Email action: I485, I130, I765, and I131 received

[10] 04.28.2012: NOA (I-797C) I765, I131, I485, I130

[13] 05.01.2012: ASC Appointment (I485 + I765) Biometrics [scheduled for May 15]

[17] 05.05.2012: Walk-in biometrics appointment completed

[35] 05.24.2012: Interview scheduled

[37] 05.26.2012: NOA (I-797C): Interview notice

[60] 06.18.2012: Email action: I765 approved and sent to printing

[61] 06.21.2012: Email action: Second notice I765 approved and sent to printing

[66] 06.24.2012: Email action: I765 mailed

[66] 06.24.2012: Email action: I765 picked up by USPS

[68] 06.26.2012: EAD + AP Card delivered via USPS

[71] 06.29.2012: AOS Interview

[71] 06.29.2012: Email action: I485 approved and sent to printing

[DC85 113]

AOS Interview Experience - Houston, TX

USCIS Location:

16504 Central Green Blvd

Houston, TX 77032

Google Maps: http://goo.gl/maps/ZESZ

Preamble

My interview for Adjustment of Status (AOS) was from a non-immigrant work visa and my U.S. Citizen wife was my petitioner. We did not require a co-sponsor as her income is above the minimum threshold to support a family of 2. We completed all of our forms with assistance from the book "Fiance and Marriage Visas: A couple's complete guide to US immigration" -- http://amzn.to/P7durd. We had the book prior to locating this site. During the AOS process we did not receive any Requests for Evidence (RFE).

Interview Preparation

We spent a considerable amount of time preparing for the AOS interview. We created a binder that contained the following:

- Original and color copy of all notices we received from the USCIS

- A complete copy (forms and supporting documents) of the original AOS filing we sent to Chicago (I-130, I-485, I-131, I-765, I-864)

- Original and color copy of all evidence related to our bona fide marriage (10 pictures with descriptions and dates, leases, travel itineraries, financial information, etc.)

- Bona fide marriage copies and originals were all held together with paperclips and easily accessed. I also provided a table of contents for easy review by the Immigration Officer (IO)

We spent no time practicing prior to the interview. I figured this would just make us nervous and it wasn't really required. USCIS isn't expecting you to know your spouse's every move. If you answer 95% of the questions correctly, you'll be fine.

Interview Day

We had an early morning interview -- 7 AM. We put on business slacks and button down shirts as we do for the office. We arrived at approx. 6:30 AM to find that we were not the first ones there. Please note that the USCIS building is up near George Bush Airport (IAH). If you live south of the location, Hardy Toll Road is the best method of access -- make sure you have an EZTAG as the toll booth heading to Central Greens Blvd is EZTAG only.

It took approx. 5 minutes to get through security. Similar to the airport you are subject to security screening using magnetometers and you need to take your shoes off. So make sure you can navigate security with relative ease. Don't wear difficult to remove cowboy boots, heavily laced up shoes, etc. Security will also verify your appointment letter -- make sure you have it in your hand as you walk into the building. Once you pass security, there's a small window directly to the right -- hand your interview letter to the person working. They will provide a sheet of paper to fill out (basic information) -- they have very few clipboards and pens. You should plan to bring your own pen.

You then take a seat and wait for your name to be called. I would recommend sitting as close to the brown door as possible to ensure you can hear the IO say your name. Many of them are soft spoken and it can be difficult to hear them 30 feet away if you're in the back of the room. From what I can tell, most if not all of the IOs are on time. We were called in right around our interview time by a very polite middle aged woman. She greeted us with a smile, introduced herself at the door and then led us to her office which was a few hundred feet away. We made small talk on the way to her office -- clearly she was gearing up for a busy day. All IO's interview 8 AOS applicants a day. So it is back to back all day, every day.

We were sworn in at her desk. She looked over our file to remind herself of who we were. She asked for our ID (passports, state ID, I94, SSNs, and EAD). She then let us know that I would answer details regarding my wife and vice versa. Full legal name, date of birth, current address, city and state of birth (and/or country) and date of marriage. She asked whether or not I had left the country since applying for AOS and prior to receiving Advance Parole. Finally she asked for evidence of our relationship and marriage -- I preceded to give her color copies of all the information I brought showing a bona fide relationship and marriage. A second reminder, bring copies for the IO -- they do not have time to deal with making copies. She flipped through our wedding album and handed it back. She didn't keep any pictures, my I94, EAD, etc -- just copies of the other evidence mentioned above.

She thanked us for our time. Asked if we had any additional questions. And let us know that she would render a decision in the next 30 days. We had simple banter on the way back to the brown door and we were off.

Post Interview

On the walk to the parking lot -- no more than a few hundred feet from the main building I received an email stating that card production had been ordered on my I-485. She must have done this while we were still in her office. And subsequently we've received the NOAs for the I485 and I130 approvals.

Postscript

Over the last decade I have interacted with many aspects of U.S. Immigration and Border Patrol. From simply entering the country for a tourist visit to work visas and finally the AOS process. I can say without a doubt the staff at the USCIS Houston office are the most professional, polite and punctual individuals I have interacted with. It is an understatement to say that it was a pleasure working with them on our interview date.

If you are appropriately prepared and your marriage is legitimate, then you have absolutely nothing to worry about. The IO's will treat you with the utmost professionalism and respect.

Timeline

[01] 04.19.2012: FedEx completed package to Chicago

[02] 04.20.2012: FedEx delivery confirmation

[06] 04.24.2012: Email action: I485, I130, I765, and I131 received

[10] 04.28.2012: NOA (I-797C) I765, I131, I485, I130

[13] 05.01.2012: ASC Appointment (I485 + I765) Biometrics [scheduled for May 15]

[17] 05.05.2012: Walk-in biometrics appointment completed

[35] 05.24.2012: Interview scheduled

[37] 05.26.2012: NOA (I-797C): Interview notice

[60] 06.18.2012: Email action: I765 approved and sent to printing

[61] 06.21.2012: Email action: Second notice I765 approved and sent to printing

[66] 06.24.2012: Email action: I765 mailed

[66] 06.24.2012: Email action: I765 picked up by USPS

[68] 06.26.2012: EAD + AP Card delivered via USPS

[71] 06.29.2012: AOS Interview

[71] 06.29.2012: Email action: I485 approved and sent to printing

Congratulation

[coocoo 2]

wifi: That's neat. I hope our interview goes that smoothly. Now you can enjoy your summer

[Hypnos 6,576]

Sounds like you had a great experience wifi.

I hope that we're all so lucky.