AOS Status Changes are confusing me!

[Rinara 5]

I applied for my AOS, EAD and AP all together about 10 weeks ago (coming from K-1 visa). I had my Biometrics done in January.

On Feb 13th I had this message, and my USCIS case status changed:

Application Type: I485, APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS

Your Case Status: Card/ Document Production

On February 13, 2016, we ordered your new card for Receipt Number XXXXX, and will mail it to the address you gave us.

Then last night, Feb 16th, I had THIS message:

Application Type: I485, APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS

Your Case Status: Post Decision Activity

On February 16, 2016, we approved your Form I485, APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS, Receipt Number XXXX. We will mail your approval notice. ...

I was surprised that I was issued my GC without an interview, but I don't understand why the second update says they're sending me an approval notice. Shouldn't that have come BEFORE the other update telling me my card was being issued?

Are things just all messed up and I'm probably going to have to go for my interview anyway?

Has this happened to anyone else?

[Amhara 460]

Wow! Congrats! My case was received before yours, but our NOA dates are the same! This is encouraging to me!

I think that the EAD/AP get the same treatment - an approval and also a separate letter that your case has been approved. I believe that when a case is approved, it takes a while to make the card, so they approve you, your status changes that day or a few days from then, but they send the letter AND the GC or EAD/AP. That way, if your card takes a bit longer to process, you have documentation of your immigration status.

I know for Texas, if/when we get that letter, we can take it to the DPS/DMV and get his driver's license extended. So we might not need to wait for the physical card for that and maybe not even getting his SSN?

Edited February 17, 2016 by Amhara

[Rinara 5]

Wow! Congrats! My case was received before yours, but our NOA dates are the same! This is encouraging to me!

I think that the EAD/AP get the same treatment - an approval and also a separate letter that your case has been approved. I believe that when a case is approved, it takes a while to make the card, so they approve you, your status changes that day or a few days from then, but they send the letter AND the GC or EAD/AP. That way, if your card takes a bit longer to process, you have documentation of your immigration status.

I know for Texas, if/when we get that letter, we can take it to the DPS/DMV and get his driver's license extended. So we might not need to wait for the physical card for that and maybe not even getting his SSN?

Oh! That kinda makes sense now!

I never got my EAD/AP, and both of those haven't been updated since December. Just the AOS/Green Card has been updated this last few days. I figured since they approved my GC they'd just reject/deny the others as I won't need them.

Them sending out an approval notice to arrive before the card is really processed would make sense. I just got a bit confused about the order those statuses were changed.

I went ahead and got my SSN right after I got to America, long before marriage and filing AOS, so I don't have to wait for the EAD or GC to get my SSN. I *DO* have to wait for one of those (hopefully GC!!!) to get my drivers licence/ID. I've never had one before and need to learn how to drive soon!

[Amhara 460]

I went ahead and got my SSN right after I got to America, long before marriage and filing AOS, so I don't have to wait for the EAD or GC to get my SSN. I *DO* have to wait for one of those (hopefully GC!!!) to get my drivers licence/ID. I've never had one before and need to learn how to drive soon!

My husband took a drivers course one Saturday and was able to get his TX learners permit within a month of his arrival; however, it was only valid until his I-94 date, so we can get that limited term removed once a card of his is approved. Hopefully he can get the full DL once he takes his behind the wheel test the end of March (by then I hope we have his card!)

But you do need to get a new SSA card - you can skip the "Valid for work only with DHS approval" and go straight to the regular card! Btw, how long did it take you from application to card in hand for your SSN? Did they issue the SSN then or did you need to wait for the card?

[Rinara 5]

My husband took a drivers course one Saturday and was able to get his TX learners permit within a month of his arrival; however, it was only valid until his I-94 date, so we can get that limited term removed once a card of his is approved. Hopefully he can get the full DL once he takes his behind the wheel test the end of March (by then I hope we have his card!)

But you do need to get a new SSA card - you can skip the "Valid for work only with DHS approval" and go straight to the regular card! Btw, how long did it take you from application to card in hand for your SSN? Did they issue the SSN then or did you need to wait for the card?

Is the course he took the one for Alcohol & Drugs? I think it's possible to do it online, which I will.

I have to wait for whatever proof of status they send me (EAD or GC) before going to get a new SSN, with my new surname on it too. I had to get a SSN in order to get a bank account.

I got my SSN card just over a week after I brought in all my stuff and applied for it. They had issues finding me on the system because at immigration they put my name in incorrectly, but once I was found he was able to put it all through for me and I left with a "We'll mail you your card within two weeks" letter in my hand.

[neoblast 138]

Congrats for your approval!

This is giving me hope. Our dates are pretty similar and I am also in Tampa. Hopefully they get to mine soon. Sitting home sucks big time.

[Amhara 460]

Is the course he took the one for Alcohol & Drugs? I think it's possible to do it online, which I will.

I have to wait for whatever proof of status they send me (EAD or GC) before going to get a new SSN, with my new surname on it too. I had to get a SSN in order to get a bank account.

I got my SSN card just over a week after I brought in all my stuff and applied for it. They had issues finding me on the system because at immigration they put my name in incorrectly, but once I was found he was able to put it all through for me and I left with a "We'll mail you your card within two weeks" letter in my hand.

No, it was for the rules of the road; he's a new driver.

I hope we are able to get his SSN within a week too. So far we haven't needed it and we were able to add him to my bank account and he hasn't needed to include it on online job applications. Btw, you won't need a new SSN, just a new card.

[Rinara 5]

No, it was for the rules of the road; he's a new driver.

I hope we are able to get his SSN within a week too. So far we haven't needed it and we were able to add him to my bank account and he hasn't needed to include it on online job applications. Btw, you won't need a new SSN, just a new card.

I'm a new driver too. There's so much confusing stuff about what to do as a new driver adult. Everything seems like it's geared towards schoolkids!

Yeah, we had no luck with adding me to my wife's bank account. They wanted US identification and kept asking for it even though we explained all I had was Irish...

And yes, I meant a new SSN card, not number. New card with my new name on it.

I haven't had my EAD so haven't been able to apply for any work yet either!

[Rinara 5]

Congrats for your approval!

This is giving me hope. Our dates are pretty similar and I am also in Tampa. Hopefully they get to mine soon. Sitting home sucks big time.

Hopefully you get yours soon! I have a friend who applied a couple months before me but was called in for an interview and had an RFE because of an error from the medical, so it looks like I'll have my GC before she does!

Do you live in Tampa? I'm like 1.5 hours away from there so wasn't looking forward to having to travel for an interview.

[Amhara 460]

I'm a new driver too. There's so much confusing stuff about what to do as a new driver adult. Everything seems like it's geared towards schoolkids!

Yeah, we had no luck with adding me to my wife's bank account. They wanted US identification and kept asking for it even though we explained all I had was Irish...

And yes, I meant a new SSN card, not number. New card with my new name on it.

I haven't had my EAD so haven't been able to apply for any work yet either!

I was glad we found "adult driver education" rather than all the "teen"! It took a while to find the right course. When we added my husband, we used his TX DL and his foreign passport. However, at the credit union, they said they would only accept his passport if he had a student visa in it (although I think they had that a bit wrong!). But soon, all those worries are gone for you and you can move forward! I hope the ROC is easy for you! Remember, if your ROC isn't approved before the time you apply for naturalization (if you choose to become a USC) then you can apply for naturalization with your ROC NOA.

[Rinara 5]

I was glad we found "adult driver education" rather than all the "teen"! It took a while to find the right course.

...

Remember, if your ROC isn't approved before the time you apply for naturalization (if you choose to become a USC) then you can apply for naturalization with your ROC NOA.

This is all great to know. Thank you!

[TBoneTX 45,273]

Thread is moved from AOS/Family-Based main forum to the Case Progress subforum.