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Interview - Held for Review (Long)
Ok, so here's my experience.
Background: I'm a USC, married less than 2 years, filing for my husband. He was on OPT when we met & married and I was a grad student. Timeline in my signature.
We did everything ourselves and submitted without a lawyer. Everything went fine. I saw someone else on this forum later suggest hiring an attorney to look over the application before you file (because it's way cheaper than having them do it for you) and I wish we'd thought of that! If only for peace of mind. BUT even without one we got through smoothly, no RFEs and our process has been a bit under 8 months so far.
We did hire a lawyer for the interview. We did an interview prep the week before, and they told us what updated documents to bring. I felt it was helpful a.) to know what to expect and b.) I think officers treat you better when there is a lawyer in the room. Our lawyer only spoke a few times, to clarify or make a joke or something like that (they knew the officer & it was a friendly atmosphere).
When we filed, we had been married four months and we'd known each other & been dating (we started dating about a week after we met) for seven months. Soo.. not a ton of paperwork! To make up for it, we did Power of Attorney documents.
In addition to the bare minimum required documents, we submitted: Lease, PoA docs, joint tax return, renter's insurance, receipt for wedding rings, texts, convos, etc. between us and also about us (I sent texts between me and my sister talking about him, for example), tickets to events, life insurance documents, emergency contact forms, and affidavits.
Not a lot, I know! But we had both already pre-paid auto insurance so we didn't do joint until about a month after we filed, I had prepaid health insurance through school while he had it through work, I still had my old license from my parents' house, etc. No shared accounts like Amazon because I wanted my student discounts
and no shared utilities because all my accounts were with a roommate. We also eloped! A bit messy, but that's how life is.
A lot of our texts were referencing dates, family, our dog, and home life things like "hey I miss you, when will you be home and can you pick up yogurt on the way" or "hey mom, X and I will be home for Christmas". Things we thought would show the reality of a shared life. Lots of pictures!
Anyway, we made several mistakes right off the bat that I hope help someone else.
1. We used his USCIS number because we thought it was the same as an A number. It's not! No A number for non-immigrants (students, etc.). You get that AFTER you apply for an immigration benefit. So the # on your F1 EAD is not your A#.
2. We applied for an EAD 'Renewal' because he had an EAD but we should have done an 'Initial' application because it was his first one in the c09 category
3. We didn't apply for AP right away because we thought we needed specific dates - you don't
4. We put the reason for travel even though we didn't have to
5. We submitted a photocopy of the medical exam from before it was sealed - interviewing officer said it was only for our records, not to include in the packet
Since I didn't make enough money, we used his income for the I-864 because he is the spouse and intending immigrant. I was later told that USCIS does not like this, but we didn't get RFE'd and they accepted it. We did the I-864 and I-864a even though we technically didn't have to do the second form, we wanted to be sure.
His EAD was set to expire in June, so we requested an expedite based on personal financial hardship if he lost his job. It was approved.
We applied for AP and it was approved very quickly, but we never received the document, probably because we were about to be scheduled (even though we didn't know it at the time).
We moved and did a CoA for him and for me as sponsor. Despite getting the confirmation, the interview notice was sent to our old address. Thankfully they forwarded it!
So, the interview (also posted on the Feb 2018 submissions thread):
Our interview was this morning, it was actually pretty simple.
First, we brought a LOT of updated evidence. Since I've graduated, we share every type of insurance, a bank account, and all other accounts and utilities. We've also traveled to like 10 states together, done athletic events together, gone to many more events like shows, etc. So now we look a lot more like a traditional married couple on paper LOL.
She took the new lease, new insurance info (auto, health, life), new bank statements, direct deposit forms showing part of my paycheck going to his/our account, new receipts from vacations, new fb and text messages, and new photos. She gave me back the updated I-864, my tax transcripts, pay stubs, and employment letter without looking. My husband had a ticket because he forgot to renew his license plate registration. She said she didn't want a copy, but I forgot it was already in the stack I handed over, so she has it anyway!
We arrived 40 minutes early and the interview was 40 minutes after the scheduled time, but there was a cafe and we chatted hung out and it was all fine. We brought a full scanned copy of our initial application as well as a new packet with updated documents (new lease, more recent bank statements, updated car insurance, etc.). We also brought the medical, originals and copies of all civil documents and USCIS correspondence, and a photo album.
We had in hand:
1. Entire original application
2. Folder with original & copies of civil docs (bc, passports, etc)
3. Folder with original & copies of USCIS correspondence
4. Folder with travel & employment & address info of my husband (originals & copies)
5. Packet of new documents to hand in, with a cover letter
6. Physical photo album
7. Sealed medical I-693
The new docs were organized by type (Forms, Financial, Residence, Relationship, Affidavits) and the Relationship one was subdivided into major events (Trip 1 with receipts & confirmations, Trip 2, Event 3, etc.) and everything was in reverse chronological order.
The officer was pleasant. After confirming our names, DOBs, and that kind of stuff, she asked two questions:
1. When and how did you guys meet?
2. Have you taken trips together?
She looked through our pictures, laughed at one of my husband carrying our dog in a backpack (not a small dog, but the pavement was too hot) and, oddly, asked ME to identify people in a family photo (it was my family LOL, so I was like "uh, well, that's my mom... and that's my grandma...). Even funnier because there is a clear family resemblance
For the first question, my husband kind of sped things up and said something like "we met on XX, 2017, had our first date that week, then kept dating and I proposed" (compelling narrative, I know ) so she asked "What, in a week????" so our lawyer made a joke like "No, but almost!" which made her smile and then we corrected it and then she asked about the date of the proposal and raised an eyebrow at my husband's response because we married only three weeks after he proposed (up until now, he had been the only one talking) so I chimed in and said "that was me, I couldn't wait!" and she smiled.
Then she went through all of the questions on the I-485. Then she flipped through our documents. Then she gave us the "hold for review" paper (I heard St. Louis almost never approves on the spot so we were not expecting to be).
We asked about the address change and she said she'd do it personally to make sure we got the card (so good news - sounds like an approval )
All told, it was probably 15 minutes.
Now just waiting for the approval notice!
Background: I'm a USC, married less than 2 years, filing for my husband. He was on OPT when we met & married and I was a grad student. Timeline in my signature.
We did everything ourselves and submitted without a lawyer. Everything went fine. I saw someone else on this forum later suggest hiring an attorney to look over the application before you file (because it's way cheaper than having them do it for you) and I wish we'd thought of that! If only for peace of mind. BUT even without one we got through smoothly, no RFEs and our process has been a bit under 8 months so far.
We did hire a lawyer for the interview. We did an interview prep the week before, and they told us what updated documents to bring. I felt it was helpful a.) to know what to expect and b.) I think officers treat you better when there is a lawyer in the room. Our lawyer only spoke a few times, to clarify or make a joke or something like that (they knew the officer & it was a friendly atmosphere).
When we filed, we had been married four months and we'd known each other & been dating (we started dating about a week after we met) for seven months. Soo.. not a ton of paperwork! To make up for it, we did Power of Attorney documents.
In addition to the bare minimum required documents, we submitted: Lease, PoA docs, joint tax return, renter's insurance, receipt for wedding rings, texts, convos, etc. between us and also about us (I sent texts between me and my sister talking about him, for example), tickets to events, life insurance documents, emergency contact forms, and affidavits.
Not a lot, I know! But we had both already pre-paid auto insurance so we didn't do joint until about a month after we filed, I had prepaid health insurance through school while he had it through work, I still had my old license from my parents' house, etc. No shared accounts like Amazon because I wanted my student discounts
and no shared utilities because all my accounts were with a roommate. We also eloped! A bit messy, but that's how life is.A lot of our texts were referencing dates, family, our dog, and home life things like "hey I miss you, when will you be home and can you pick up yogurt on the way" or "hey mom, X and I will be home for Christmas". Things we thought would show the reality of a shared life. Lots of pictures!
Anyway, we made several mistakes right off the bat that I hope help someone else.
1. We used his USCIS number because we thought it was the same as an A number. It's not! No A number for non-immigrants (students, etc.). You get that AFTER you apply for an immigration benefit. So the # on your F1 EAD is not your A#.
2. We applied for an EAD 'Renewal' because he had an EAD but we should have done an 'Initial' application because it was his first one in the c09 category
3. We didn't apply for AP right away because we thought we needed specific dates - you don't
4. We put the reason for travel even though we didn't have to
5. We submitted a photocopy of the medical exam from before it was sealed - interviewing officer said it was only for our records, not to include in the packet
Since I didn't make enough money, we used his income for the I-864 because he is the spouse and intending immigrant. I was later told that USCIS does not like this, but we didn't get RFE'd and they accepted it. We did the I-864 and I-864a even though we technically didn't have to do the second form, we wanted to be sure.
His EAD was set to expire in June, so we requested an expedite based on personal financial hardship if he lost his job. It was approved.
We applied for AP and it was approved very quickly, but we never received the document, probably because we were about to be scheduled (even though we didn't know it at the time).
We moved and did a CoA for him and for me as sponsor. Despite getting the confirmation, the interview notice was sent to our old address. Thankfully they forwarded it!
So, the interview (also posted on the Feb 2018 submissions thread):
Our interview was this morning, it was actually pretty simple.
First, we brought a LOT of updated evidence. Since I've graduated, we share every type of insurance, a bank account, and all other accounts and utilities. We've also traveled to like 10 states together, done athletic events together, gone to many more events like shows, etc. So now we look a lot more like a traditional married couple on paper LOL.
She took the new lease, new insurance info (auto, health, life), new bank statements, direct deposit forms showing part of my paycheck going to his/our account, new receipts from vacations, new fb and text messages, and new photos. She gave me back the updated I-864, my tax transcripts, pay stubs, and employment letter without looking. My husband had a ticket because he forgot to renew his license plate registration. She said she didn't want a copy, but I forgot it was already in the stack I handed over, so she has it anyway!
We arrived 40 minutes early and the interview was 40 minutes after the scheduled time, but there was a cafe and we chatted hung out and it was all fine. We brought a full scanned copy of our initial application as well as a new packet with updated documents (new lease, more recent bank statements, updated car insurance, etc.). We also brought the medical, originals and copies of all civil documents and USCIS correspondence, and a photo album.
We had in hand:
1. Entire original application
2. Folder with original & copies of civil docs (bc, passports, etc)
3. Folder with original & copies of USCIS correspondence
4. Folder with travel & employment & address info of my husband (originals & copies)
5. Packet of new documents to hand in, with a cover letter
6. Physical photo album
7. Sealed medical I-693
The new docs were organized by type (Forms, Financial, Residence, Relationship, Affidavits) and the Relationship one was subdivided into major events (Trip 1 with receipts & confirmations, Trip 2, Event 3, etc.) and everything was in reverse chronological order.
The officer was pleasant. After confirming our names, DOBs, and that kind of stuff, she asked two questions:
1. When and how did you guys meet?
2. Have you taken trips together?
She looked through our pictures, laughed at one of my husband carrying our dog in a backpack (not a small dog, but the pavement was too hot) and, oddly, asked ME to identify people in a family photo (it was my family LOL, so I was like "uh, well, that's my mom... and that's my grandma...). Even funnier because there is a clear family resemblance
For the first question, my husband kind of sped things up and said something like "we met on XX, 2017, had our first date that week, then kept dating and I proposed" (compelling narrative, I know
) so she asked "What, in a week????" so our lawyer made a joke like "No, but almost!" which made her smile and then we corrected it and then she asked about the date of the proposal and raised an eyebrow at my husband's response because we married only three weeks after he proposed (up until now, he had been the only one talking) so I chimed in and said "that was me, I couldn't wait!" and she smiled. Then she went through all of the questions on the I-485. Then she flipped through our documents. Then she gave us the "hold for review" paper (I heard St. Louis almost never approves on the spot so we were not expecting to be).
We asked about the address change and she said she'd do it personally to make sure we got the card (so good news - sounds like an approval
)All told, it was probably 15 minutes.
Now just waiting for the approval notice!
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