March 2018 filers: let's share our experience!!

[swabywhite]

I'm in a same sex relationship. Recently married and I did not find this forum until after I filed. I did not front load my application Only send marriage certificate sigh. My documents were accepted and now I'm focusing on gathering more evidence. I'm just barely coming out so its going to be difficult to prove relationship Kept everything private because they are extremely homophobic in my home country. I hope uscis will take that into consideration.

[belu31]

Hey guys, we had our interview and were approved on the spot!
The officer was a nice lady. She had reviewed our file and I'm under the impression that she had made up her mind on the bona fide of our marriage before conducting the interview. All in all it was a pleasant experience.
We brought two binders of additional evidence. She kept some bank and credit card statements, utilities bills, joint health insurance, our taxes for 2018, boarding passes, landlord letter, a resizing receipt for my engagement ring with our address on it and some photos.
Questions asked to my husband (petitioner): date of birth, occupation, date of marriage, when did we move in together.
Questions asked to me (applicant): date of birth, occupation, if I was studying, how did we meet, when did we have our first date and where did we go, and when did he propose.
She asked us if our families approved of our marriage and if things are going well.
She explained us how to file to remove conditions and said I should expect the green card in 30 days but that I may get it sooner.

Our timeline:
March 12, 2018: PD Newark NJ
January, 2019: original interview date. We rescheduled due to a planned trip overseas.
March 19, 2019: Interview.
March 19, 1019: Card is being produced.

[gaps0214]

Hey guys, we had our interview and were approved on the spot!
The officer was a nice lady. She had reviewed our file and I'm under the impression that she had made up her mind on the bona fide of our marriage before conducting the interview. All in all it was a pleasant experience.
We brought two binders of additional evidence. She kept some bank and credit card statements, utilities bills, joint health insurance, our taxes for 2018, boarding passes, landlord letter, a resizing receipt for my engagement ring with our address on it and some photos.
Questions asked to my husband (petitioner): date of birth, occupation, date of marriage, when did we move in together.
Questions asked to me (applicant): date of birth, occupation, if I was studying, how did we meet, when did we have our first date and where did we go, and when did he propose.
She asked us if our families approved of our marriage and if things are going well.
She explained us how to file to remove conditions and said I should expect the green card in 30 days but that I may get it sooner.

Our timeline:
March 12, 2018: PD Newark NJ
January, 2019: original interview date. We rescheduled due to a planned trip overseas.
March 19, 2019: Interview.
March 19, 1019: Card is being produced.

Big congratulations! Can you share what she explained on how to file to remove conditions? Obviously its still 1 step away from where some of us who are waiting for an interview, but I don't see anyone who have done the interview successfully share that information as may be obtained from the interviewing immigration officer on the next steps after GC is approved.

Again congratulations and will appreciate it when you find time to write back on the removal of conditions.

Cheers,

Married to USC, on C9 AOS, same-sex marriage, Seattle, WA
PD: March 22, 2018
RD: April 6, 2018
Biometrics: April 27, 2018
RFE: June 11, 2018
RFE Resolved: June 21, 2018
Requested expedite through ROC: Negative outcome
July 9, 2018: I-485 Status Changed to Case is Ready to be Scheduled for Interview
August 15, 2018: EAD/AP Approval Notice Received by Email
August 22, 2018: SS Card in Hand
August 31, 2018: EAD/AP Combo Card in Hand
September 1, 2018: Used EAD/AP Combo Card to apply for Canadian Visitors Visa
September 3, 2018: Canadian TRV approved
October 24, 2018: Travelled outside of US for medical purpose
November 4, 2018: Crossed into US border from Canada using EAD/AP Combo Card, Parole Approved
February 22, 2019: Extension of EAD/AP Sent
March 15, 2019: Received 797 on AP Renewal

[gaps0214]

I'm in a same sex relationship. Recently married and I did not find this forum until after I filed. I did not front load my application Only send marriage certificate sigh. My documents were accepted and now I'm focusing on gathering more evidence. I'm just barely coming out so its going to be difficult to prove relationship Kept everything private because they are extremely homophobic in my home country. I hope uscis will take that into consideration.

Your worries are understandable.
But others in this thread can only help you with their opinions and experiences based on the information you share, and you need to put more detail into your situation.
Front-loading an AOS application is important but if you have received 797s on your filing that's a good sign, and if you get a biometrics appointment that's another good sign your application is moving forward.
In the meantime, embrace the process and learn as much as you can from these threads - they have been extremely helpful to me and my husband since we didnt hire a lawyer to help us out in the filing for AOS.

Cheers,

Married to USC, on C9 AOS, same-sex marriage, Seattle, WA
PD: March 22, 2018
RD: April 6, 2018
Biometrics: April 27, 2018
RFE: June 11, 2018
RFE Resolved: June 21, 2018
Requested expedite through ROC: Negative outcome
July 9, 2018: I-485 Status Changed to Case is Ready to be Scheduled for Interview
August 15, 2018: EAD/AP Approval Notice Received by Email
August 22, 2018: SS Card in Hand
August 31, 2018: EAD/AP Combo Card in Hand
September 1, 2018: Used EAD/AP Combo Card to apply for Canadian Visitors Visa
September 3, 2018: Canadian TRV approved
October 24, 2018: Travelled outside of US for medical purpose
November 4, 2018: Crossed into US border from Canada using EAD/AP Combo Card, Parole Approved
February 22, 2019: Extension of EAD/AP Sent
March 15, 2019: Received 797 on AP Renewal

[NDkingdom]

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but what does it mean to Front Load an application? I Googled the definition of Front Loading, which has several definitions- none of which seem to apply here.

[gaps0214]

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but what does it mean to Front Load an application? I Googled the definition of Front Loading, which has several definitions- none of which seem to apply here.

No such thing as a dumb question :-)
Front-loading is just a phrase used in the forums I assume started by the more senior members to indicate that at first filing of AOS documents, you are able to provide all the necessary and recommended evidences of your AOS application, as indicated in the Instruction Sheet of all pertinent forms like I-485, I-130, I-765, I-131, I-864 which in my case are the forms needed to apply for AOS through marriage.
Hope this helps you understand the term front-loading.

Cheers,

Married to USC, on C9 AOS, same-sex marriage, Seattle, WA
PD: March 22, 2018
RD: April 6, 2018
Biometrics: April 27, 2018
RFE: June 11, 2018
RFE Resolved: June 21, 2018
Requested expedite through ROC: Negative outcome
July 9, 2018: I-485 Status Changed to Case is Ready to be Scheduled for Interview
August 15, 2018: EAD/AP Approval Notice Received by Email
August 22, 2018: SS Card in Hand
August 31, 2018: EAD/AP Combo Card in Hand
September 1, 2018: Used EAD/AP Combo Card to apply for Canadian Visitors Visa
September 3, 2018: Canadian TRV approved
October 24, 2018: Travelled outside of US for medical purpose
November 4, 2018: Crossed into US border from Canada using EAD/AP Combo Card, Parole Approved
February 22, 2019: Extension of EAD/AP Sent
March 15, 2019: Received 797 on AP Renewal

[lian]

hey Guys quick question,

I haven't initially applied for a AP, but I would like to now since my timeline is just getting longer and longer, how can I applied for it now that I am in the process already, also is it an extra cost?


thank you!

[Enub4]

hey Guys quick question,

I haven't initially applied for a AP, but I would like to now since my timeline is just getting longer and longer, how can I applied for it now that I am in the process already, also is it an extra cost?


thank you!

From what I read, there is no fee if I-485 is pending. You need to send all what form I-131 requires plus a copy of your pending I-485 NOA.

[BayAreaCaliAOS]

San Francisco office is taking forever.
At this point, hoping to get my interview on our 2nd year anniv which is also 2nd year of our PD just so I dont have to deal with the 2 year green card.

[NDkingdom]

I'm in a same sex relationship. Recently married and I did not find this forum until after I filed. I did not front load my application Only send marriage certificate sigh. My documents were accepted and now I'm focusing on gathering more evidence. I'm just barely coming out so its going to be difficult to prove relationship Kept everything private because they are extremely homophobic in my home country. I hope uscis will take that into consideration.

I'm in a similar situation. I'm in a same sex marriage. My family didn't know I was gay until I told them that I got married- to a man. I'm worried that I might not have enough evidence for our green card interview next month. They will wonder why neither of our families attended our civil ceremony. We live in a condo that I paid off years ago before we met- so there's no joint lease or rental agreement to show. My credit union wouldn't let me add him to my bank account because he doesn't have a SSN. He added me to his Wells Fargo account, but his monthly statements don't show charges with my name on it. We have a couple utility bills with our names on it and affidavits from friends and family. Mostly we have plenty of photos to show. Some people have said that photo evidence carries the least weight- which I find hard to believe. Utility bills and financial statements are nice to have. But realistically you can easily add someone's name to your utility bills, home address and credit card with one click of a button. It doesn't really prove a loving marriage. The photos is what tells the real story- showing all the places we've traveled around the country together- and all of the holidays and birthdays and special occasions we spend together. I've tried hard to provide all the useful evidence I have, and hopefully our interview goes well.

[gaps0214]

Hello March 2018 Filers,

Just updating everyone on our wait for the first interview schedule for conditional GC on AOS c(9) application.

So there was a general sense from other forum threads and in here as well about EAD/AP renewals, and how in some cases the application for renewal of EAD/AP triggers an interview schedule. Apparently not true in our case, we sent out EAD/AP renewals 180 days prior to EAD/AP combo card expiry date, and this is what happened:

1.) I-797C Notice of Action for AP Renewal arrived first 3 weeks after we filed
2.) I-797C Notice of Action for EAD Renewal arrived next more than 1 month after we filed

I also want to share that the I-797C Notice of Action are issued new MSC reference numbers so that means an additional two numbers to keep track of.

The upsides basically consist of (a) AP Renewal doesn't cost a single penny, and no action is required according to the NOA (b) EAD Renewal doesn't put you through another hoop with Biometrics as they acknowledge that your fingerprint records are in file and no further action is required as well.

To: BayAreaCaliAOS

Wow! I'm sorry to read about your waiting time that seems to be really long. Any experience about your first round of EAD/AP renewal you can share? Would very much appreciate it.

To: NDKingdom / Swabywhite

There is no reason for you guys to be anxious about your situation. The process is pretty straightforward and all you need to do is really sit down and get your ducks lined up - evidence wise. Read more around the forums, there's a permanent sticky at the very top on Evidences for Marriage, do your best to get these documentations in order, you have more than enough time before the interview rolls around. Connect the dots for USCIS about your relationship and there should be no problem. Keep your tail up and work on your documentation. If you have questions, there are more than enough people in the threads who can share their personal experiences and opinion, if you need legal opinion you'll need to set aside funds for an immigration lawyer.

Cheers,

Married to USC, on C9 AOS, same-sex marriage, Seattle, WA
PD: March 22, 2018
RD: April 6, 2018
Biometrics: April 27, 2018
RFE: June 11, 2018
RFE Resolved: June 21, 2018
Requested expedite through ROC: Negative outcome
July 9, 2018: I-485 Status Changed to Case is Ready to be Scheduled for Interview
August 15, 2018: EAD/AP Approval Notice Received by Email
August 22, 2018: SS Card in Hand
August 31, 2018: EAD/AP Combo Card in Hand
September 1, 2018: Used EAD/AP Combo Card to apply for Canadian Visitors Visa
September 3, 2018: Canadian TRV approved
October 24, 2018: Travelled outside of US for medical purpose
November 4, 2018: Crossed into US border from Canada using EAD/AP Combo Card, Parole Approved
February 22, 2019: Sent Renewal Application for EAD/AP
March 13, 2019: Received NOA on AP Renewal Application (new MSC reference number)
March 27, 2019: Received NOA on EAD Renewal Application (new MSC reference number), no biometrics required

[BayAreaCaliAOS]

gaps0214,

I actually hired someone to renew my combo card for me since I

[Enub4]

gaps0214,

I actually hired someone to renew my combo card for me since I

I hope the admins can fix the problem with the forum, is not good having many posts with only a portion of the message.

[gaps0214]

gaps0214,

I actually hired someone to renew my combo card for me since I

That's interesting, was it of any help to get a lawyer/hired service to renew your combo card? I wonder if its also going to help get an interview scheduled.

Cheers,

Married to USC, on C9 AOS, same-sex marriage, Seattle, WA
PD: March 22, 2018
RD: April 6, 2018
Biometrics: April 27, 2018
RFE: June 11, 2018
RFE Resolved: June 21, 2018
Requested expedite through ROC: Negative outcome
July 9, 2018: I-485 Status Changed to Case is Ready to be Scheduled for Interview
August 15, 2018: EAD/AP Approval Notice Received by Email
August 22, 2018: SS Card in Hand
August 31, 2018: EAD/AP Combo Card in Hand
September 1, 2018: Used EAD/AP Combo Card to apply for Canadian Visitors Visa
September 3, 2018: Canadian TRV approved
October 24, 2018: Travelled outside of US for medical purpose
November 4, 2018: Crossed into US border from Canada using EAD/AP Combo Card, Parole Approved
February 22, 2019: Sent Renewal Application for EAD/AP
March 13, 2019: Received NOA on AP Renewal Application (new MSC reference number)
March 27, 2019: Received NOA on EAD Renewal Application (new MSC reference number), no biometrics required

[keldreams]

I just contacted my lawyer to send in my EAD/AP renewal... I