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

[kaylip]

Congratulations! I started this thread a few years ago. It was really helpful with my AOS. I received my 10 year card in the mail. I agree, it was so much easier! I intend to apply for citizenship this year. Goodluck and best wishes!????

[flyforever85]

It looks like for more than one year this forum hasn't been used. I'm so happy it helped so many people. I read beautiful stories on here. I'm writing this last post (for whoever will read it) to say that my FINAL green card has been sent to me yesterday. The removal of condition was a much easier process but still. IT'S OVER.

Big hugs and best wishes to you reader!! It seems like it's never ending but I promise you, it will be over!!

[regius]

Well I got a text message from uscis around 10 pm saying card is being produced. Also he mentioned to me after the interview that I was pretty much approved, just have to run background check, and that I should get a notice by the end of the day, and I did. Also I don’t want to say his name for confidentiality. Dont want to get into any trouble. Hehe
When is your interview?

Based on the many posts here, it seems the background check is a fairly swift process. You finish the interview, get checked, then many people immediately see an update (card being issued) the next day or two. So does it mean the Background check is a very fast & computerized process?

[keldreams]

Hope you get yours soon. When is your PD?

PD says July 2, 2018 but my lawyer said since I’m adjusting from DACA it doesn’t really matter... case has been ready to schedule for interview since 8/1/18

[BayAreaCaliAOS]

Haha I totally understand... Um, still don’t have an interview date yet... my lawyer is going to submit an inquiry regarding my combo card renewal app though.. STILL waiting for that interview date sigh.... I hope when my interview comes it goes as smoothly as your’s!

Hope you get yours soon. When is your PD?

[keldreams]

Well I got a text message from uscis around 10 pm saying card is being produced. Also he mentioned to me after the interview that I was pretty much approved, just have to run background check, and that I should get a notice by the end of the day, and I did. Also I don’t want to say his name for confidentiality. Dont want to get into any trouble. Hehe
When is your interview?

Haha I totally understand... Um, still don’t have an interview date yet... my lawyer is going to submit an inquiry regarding my combo card renewal app though.. STILL waiting for that interview date sigh.... I hope when my interview comes it goes as smoothly as your’s!

[BayAreaCaliAOS]

Wow! Sounds like it went as smooth as it can go! Hope I can get that same nice officer lol.. what was their name?! Did you notice your status change on on the USCIS website?

Well I got a text message from uscis around 10 pm saying card is being produced. Also he mentioned to me after the interview that I was pretty much approved, just have to run background check, and that I should get a notice by the end of the day, and I did. Also I don’t want to say his name for confidentiality. Dont want to get into any trouble. Hehe
When is your interview?

[keldreams]

Thank you very much!
Well we started off by doing the oath.
Then he asked me questions from the files, such as full name, dob, parents name, addresses, past and current job, then about 10-15 yes no questions.
Then he asked my husband almost the same thing from the files. Took my medical.
He then basically started the interview with how we met, when we started officially dating, where we went on our first date, when I started sleeping over at my husbands, and how long we’ve been living together.
I frontloaded him with evidences. He saw me carrying a big binder, 2 photo albums with more than 500 photos, and another envelop with statements. I think the moment he saw us, he was impressed of how prepared we were.
He basically just took our credit card and joint bank statements, and our apartment lease. He also looked one album. He didnt actually bother checking the binder. I also jokingly asked him if he wanted more stuff, and he laughed and said no.
He then said I was pretty much approved and that he’ll approve me by the end of the day. Gave me the white paper, and told me about removing conditions, etc.

I think we got really lucky with the officer. He was super nice, sweet and his smile helped me ease my anxiousness.
So thankful for this community because it helped me a lot gathering evidences.

Wow! Sounds like it went as smooth as it can go! Hope I can get that same nice officer lol.. what was their name?! Did you notice your status change on on the USCIS website?

[BayAreaCaliAOS]

CONGRATULATIONS!! Truly! That’s so awesome to hear... and happy for you that your journey is finally over... do you mind sharing what your experience was like as far as the questions asked and process the day of?

Thank you very much!
Well we started off by doing the oath.
Then he asked me questions from the files, such as full name, dob, parents name, addresses, past and current job, then about 10-15 yes no questions.
Then he asked my husband almost the same thing from the files. Took my medical.
He then basically started the interview with how we met, when we started officially dating, where we went on our first date, when I started sleeping over at my husbands, and how long we’ve been living together.
I frontloaded him with evidences. He saw me carrying a big binder, 2 photo albums with more than 500 photos, and another envelop with statements. I think the moment he saw us, he was impressed of how prepared we were.
He basically just took our credit card and joint bank statements, and our apartment lease. He also looked one album. He didnt actually bother checking the binder. I also jokingly asked him if he wanted more stuff, and he laughed and said no.
He then said I was pretty much approved and that he’ll approve me by the end of the day. Gave me the white paper, and told me about removing conditions, etc.

I think we got really lucky with the officer. He was super nice, sweet and his smile helped me ease my anxiousness.
So thankful for this community because it helped me a lot gathering evidences.

[keldreams]

Update: I got my approval notice same night. So happy! Finally! It’s been a long journey for me.

CONGRATULATIONS!! Truly! That’s so awesome to hear... and happy for you that your journey is finally over... do you mind sharing what your experience was like as far as the questions asked and process the day of?

[BayAreaCaliAOS]

Update: I got my approval notice same night. So happy! Finally! It’s been a long journey for me.

[BayAreaCaliAOS]

I just has my interview today, and I am so happy and lucky to get a very pleasant and a professional officer.
Everything went so smooth. Also I overloaded with evidences, so I wonder if that gave him a good impression.

Cheers!

[BayAreaCaliAOS]

Hello March 2018 Filers,

Just updating the forum with my details which culminated to the final arrival of the 2 year conditional GC below:

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 : Received 737s but nothing afterwards
August 2, 2019: Initial Interview Scheduled
August 8, 2019: Received NOA for Initial Interview Scheduled
September 9, 2019: Initial Interview for AOS - for further review 30 days - no approval on the spot
September 19, 2019: I-485 was approved, status changed to card being produced September 21, 2019
September 26, 2019: 2 Year Conditional GC received in mail

In total a little bit over 18 months end-to-end from PD to GC.

My Quick Tips:

• Some of you may still be waiting for their interviews, do stay patient, it will come.
• When interview notice comes, start putting together the best evidences required for the AOS interview, better fully prepared and just have the immigration officer cherry-pick from your collection of documents, rather than not have what they asked for in the first place in the AOS interview NOA.
• On interview day, shower shave and dress up, it makes a very good first impression, come on time and engage the immigration officer with smiles and light conversation, answering questions directly and briefly, only explain some more if they ask you to give more details.
• For the ones who had interviews and are still hurdling through an RFE or a case still for further review, take it easy, give them what they ask for in terms of evidence and you will be fine, otherwise its just a matter of time if you have done all your best to provide evidence for them to approve your AOS.

Until the next stage of the journey 21 months from now, we thank everyone in the forum for being part of our journey to this point, it always helps to know you are not the only one going through the process and the anxieties, we are very very grateful.

Cheers.

I’m genuinely happy for you!
Thanks for sharing your experience here!

[gaps0214]

Hello March 2018 Filers,

Just updating the forum with my details which culminated to the final arrival of the 2 year conditional GC below:

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 : Received 737s but nothing afterwards
August 2, 2019: Initial Interview Scheduled
August 8, 2019: Received NOA for Initial Interview Scheduled
September 9, 2019: Initial Interview for AOS - for further review 30 days - no approval on the spot
September 19, 2019: I-485 was approved, status changed to card being produced September 21, 2019
September 26, 2019: 2 Year Conditional GC received in mail

In total a little bit over 18 months end-to-end from PD to GC.

My Quick Tips:

• Some of you may still be waiting for their interviews, do stay patient, it will come.
• When interview notice comes, start putting together the best evidences required for the AOS interview, better fully prepared and just have the immigration officer cherry-pick from your collection of documents, rather than not have what they asked for in the first place in the AOS interview NOA.
• On interview day, shower shave and dress up, it makes a very good first impression, come on time and engage the immigration officer with smiles and light conversation, answering questions directly and briefly, only explain some more if they ask you to give more details.
• For the ones who had interviews and are still hurdling through an RFE or a case still for further review, take it easy, give them what they ask for in terms of evidence and you will be fine, otherwise its just a matter of time if you have done all your best to provide evidence for them to approve your AOS.

Until the next stage of the journey 21 months from now, we thank everyone in the forum for being part of our journey to this point, it always helps to know you are not the only one going through the process and the anxieties, we are very very grateful.

Cheers.

[b3b3g1]

My field office is Houston, TX. my case was an exceptionally long wait without any reason, like no RFE or anything. People who applied at the same time as I got their green card months ago. But I am happy with the wait as I will be getting 10yrs green card Be organized and prepared. The officer loved that I had files with fasteners on top as it's very easy for them. Of course, it doesn't affect any decision but it's just you know making things easier for each other. She went through all the documents I brought and asked very specific questions to my husband about me. And my husband was like himm ummm ) but at the end, the officer told us that we are approved and we should expect the card in 3 weeks (not sure about this as I was just holding my breath when I heard approval ) Good luck to you with your interview!!