Houston Texas Filers

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

Hey guys. Checking in to let you know we received a status change... Interview has been scheduled!!!! Just PRAYING for after 11/04. That is our 2 year anniversary. But either way, I dont care this is almost over! We finally did a bank transfer from the UK to close out my husbands accounts over there last week. So everything is falling in line beautifully.

Now to get this binder together with all the evidence!

Congrats! Fingers crossed for you! Interviews are scheduled 4 to 6 weeks in advance. Know that what matters is the date your case is adjudicated - not when the interview is. If you're scheduled before 11/4, I would just gently remind the officer that your 2-year anniversary is in a few days. I would just be over-prepared with plenty of evidence. The longer you have been married, the more concrete evidence they expect. I have read of officers saying "oh your 2 year anniversary is in 2 weeks. I am sure that I can *lose* your file on my desk for a couple of weeks". Now, they will be more inclined to do so if you have plenty of evidence.

I think you're familiar with this thread. https://www.immihelp.com/forum/showt...737#post582737 I have added about 20 resources which many have found helpful.

All the best,

USCFFS

[lay.k]

P.D - March 23rd 2017.. Marriage based, got a notification that interview has been scheduled.

Congratulations!!!!!

[lay.k]

keeping the thread up to date--

keeping the thread up to date--


April 6th 2017 houston filer is scheduled for interview! saw it on ******** group....

[godfreylaura]

Congrats! Fingers crossed for you! Interviews are scheduled 4 to 6 weeks in advance. Know that what matters is the date your case is adjudicated - not when the interview is. If you're scheduled before 11/4, I would just gently remind the officer that your 2-year anniversary is in a few days. I would just be over-prepared with plenty of evidence. The longer you have been married, the more concrete evidence they expect. I have read of officers saying "oh your 2 year anniversary is in 2 weeks. I am sure that I can *lose* your file on my desk for a couple of weeks". Now, they will be more inclined to do so if you have plenty of evidence.

I think you're familiar with this thread. https://www.immihelp.com/forum/showt...737#post582737 I have added about 20 resources which many have found helpful.

All the best,

USCFFS

Yeah thanks for the reminder and the bump on the info!!!!

[17GROM]

Received gc

Interview 9-28-18 GC on hand 10-4-18.

[lay.k]

Interview 9-28-18 GC on hand 10-4-18.

congratulations!!!

what was your PD?

[17GROM]

congratulations!!!

what was your PD?

December 2016

[maxviz]

timing report

Filer I30 June 2016
I-485 Dec 2016
Priority date Jan 2017
Interview Next week

[maxviz]

Question: OPT application while waiting for i-485 interview

I would like to know your opinion about my case. I was on F1 visa status and I am still F1 but in limbo while awaiting AOS.

After waiting for long time, and now preparing for the interview I came to know that I have conflicting intents (immigrant vs non-immigrant). I came to know that
1) I made a mistake of not applying for EAD with AOS (Application done personally without a lawyer)
2) Through School, I applied for OPT while pending i-485
3) Through School, I applied for OPT-extension while pending i-485

My DSO knew that I am married to USC and have applied for i-485 AOS. Still, the DSO applied for OPT and STEM extension without clearly stating that this will be against my immigrant intent shown on i-485. Now I am scared that my declaration of conflicting intents on OPT and OPT extension applications will be held against me in the approval of AOS.

Any advice is appreciated.

Rough timeline

Feb 2014 Met USC
Sep 2015 Married to USC
June 2016: I-130 filed
Dec 2016 I-130 approved
Jan 2017 Biometrics done
Feb 2017 i-485 (unfortunately applied without EAD and AP application with it)
May 2017 applied for OPT
Sept 2017 OPT approved
Sept 2018 Got tired of waiting for interview and applied for EAD (a top up application to original i-485)
Sept 2018 Interview notification for i-485
Sept 2018 Now on the verge of expiring OPT, I was advised to apply for STEM extension applied
Waiting for interview in early Oct 2018

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

I would like to know your opinion about my case. I was on F1 visa status and I am still F1 but in limbo while awaiting AOS.

After waiting for long time, and now preparing for the interview I came to know that I have conflicting intents (immigrant vs non-immigrant). I came to know that
1) I made a mistake of not applying for EAD with AOS (Application done personally without a lawyer)
2) Through School, I applied for OPT while pending i-485
3) Through School, I applied for OPT-extension while pending i-485

My DSO knew that I am married to USC and have applied for i-485 AOS. Still, the DSO applied for OPT and STEM extension without clearly stating that this will be against my immigrant intent shown on i-485. Now I am scared that my declaration of conflicting intents on OPT and OPT extension applications will be held against me in the approval of AOS.

Any advice is appreciated.

Rough timeline

Feb 2014 Met USC
Sep 2015 Married to USC
June 2016: I-130 filed
Dec 2016 I-130 approved
Jan 2017 Biometrics done
Feb 2017 i-485 (unfortunately applied without EAD and AP application with it)
May 2017 applied for OPT
Sept 2017 OPT approved
Sept 2018 Got tired of waiting for interview and applied for EAD (a top up application to original i-485)
Sept 2018 Interview notification for i-485
Sept 2018 Now on the verge of expiring OPT, I was advised to apply for STEM extension applied
Waiting for interview in early Oct 2018

DSO = Designated School Official?

I do not see an issue with your timeline, case or even a conflict of intent. You came here on F-1. Clearly, you went to school and fulfilled the requirements of your F-1 all the way to STEM opt and even filed for STEM OPT extension. It looks like you met your spouse along the way. Even if you had met your spouse before you applied for your F-1 visa, I still see no issue based on the little information you are providing here.

It makes sense that you applied for STEM OPT extension. It would have been foolish not to do so. You'd still be waiting for your AOS EAD. I do not think I see anything that you need to worry about.

Consular processing would have also been impractical because you were in the US already, and had a lot going on. I think you are fine.

I would focus on showcasing the longevity of your relationship. Evidence of bona fide marriage starts from the date you met/decided to start dating. When arranging your evidence, place the oldest documents on top and most recent ones at the bottom. That sends a message to the brain that you have been together for a long time. You did not just meet on Monday, got married on Tuesday and filed for AOS on Wednesday.

Take a moment to peruse the contents of this thread https://www.immihelp.com/forum/showt...737#post582737 Many have found it useful when staging their evidence of bona fide marriage for the interview.

[maxviz]

Thank you so much

Thank you so much for your supportive reply. I was freaking out a little. My interview is on 9th. I am making sure that my file and answers are correct, precise and supportive. There is nothing unusual in my file other than the intent. Good to hear that more likely than not it wont be an issue.
Thank you again, I will keep the thread updated with my future fate

DSO = Designated School Official?

I do not see an issue with your timeline, case or even a conflict of intent. You came here on F-1. Clearly, you went to school and fulfilled the requirements of your F-1 all the way to STEM opt and even filed for STEM OPT extension. It looks like you met your spouse along the way. Even if you had met your spouse before you applied for your F-1 visa, I still see no issue based on the little information you are providing here.

It makes sense that you applied for STEM OPT extension. It would have been foolish not to do so. You'd still be waiting for your AOS EAD. I do not think I see anything that you need to worry about.

Consular processing would have also been impractical because you were in the US already, and had a lot going on. I think you are fine.

I would focus on showcasing the longevity of your relationship. Evidence of bona fide marriage starts from the date you met/decided to start dating. When arranging your evidence, place the oldest documents on top and most recent ones at the bottom. That sends a message to the brain that you have been together for a long time. You did not just meet on Monday, got married on Tuesday and filed for AOS on Wednesday.

Take a moment to peruse the contents of this thread https://www.immihelp.com/forum/showt...737#post582737 Many have found it useful when staging their evidence of bona fide marriage for the interview.

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

Thank you so much for your supportive reply. I was freaking out a little. My interview is on 9th. I am making sure that my file and answers are correct, precise and supportive. There is nothing unusual in my file other than the intent. Good to hear that more likely than not it wont be an issue.
Thank you again, I will keep the thread updated with my future fate

Sure, you are welcome! To give you an example, my husband came on F-1 visa in August 2014. We met in 06-2016, married 08-2017 and filed for AOS in 03-2018. Unless you told the CBP officer "I am here as a student but will keep my eyes PEELED for a US citizen spouse" and then winked at the CBP officer - LOL - I don't think that you have anything to worry about.

You have also been married longer than 2 years. Do prepare, though. The more evidence you present, the better. Leave no stone unturned. Now, if you show up empty handed, that's when officers start looking for loose threads to pull. Keep them busy, and make it easy for the ISO to approve you.

[maxviz]

Anxiety town !! )

Agreed.
We have a ton of new evidence from last 2 years. The paper trail of evidence is ample. I am making sure that the interview goes well. The question answers is the place where I am most anxious about.

Sure, you are welcome! To give you an example, my husband came on F-1 visa in August 2014. We met in 06-2016, married 08-2017 and filed for AOS in 03-2018. Unless you told the CBP officer "I am here as a student but will keep my eyes PEELED for a US citizen spouse" and then winked at the CBP officer - LOL - I don't think that you have anything to worry about.

You have also been married longer than 2 years. Do prepare, though. The more evidence you present, the better. Leave no stone unturned. Now, if you show up empty handed, that's when officers start looking for loose threads to pull. Keep them busy, and make it easy for the ISO to approve you.

[godfreylaura]

Remember, Remember the fifth of November...

LOL so 11/05 is our interview... Our 2nd wedding anniversary is 11/04! Completely happy about that!

[lay.k]

LOL so 11/05 is our interview... Our 2nd wedding anniversary is 11/04! Completely happy about that!

Congratulations!
your PD is March 2017 mine is April 2017 ...still waiting