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My I-485 Experiences
Hi All,
First, I would like to say "Thanks" to all, especially @UScitizenFilingforspouse.
I field I485 family base since Oct 2017, I-130 approved from June 2015. F2A category because my sprout is a GC holder. So we kept waiting from 2015 till Oct 2017 to have visa bulletin up to date. Then interview noticed on Aug 2018, and the interview was in Sep 2019.
We came to USCIS local office 15 minutes early. There were just two couples went at the same time as us. I've been in this office so many times, the security man remembers my face( lol ), and he said Hi to me before I can say anything. And then he told my document package is cute because it's pink. ( Jesus, I don't have any bag big enough to carry all docs, so I take my wife's purse which is ...pink color...: -s.
We were waiting for 20 minutes to get into the interview room.
First, the officer asked us to raise our right hand and swear to tell the truth.
Second, he saw we had a massive pack of documents; he said to take time and prepare material to give them to him. Then he goes through information in the I-485 form. He asked my name, DoB, address, about 20 questions and I kept saying " No, Nope, No Sir....".
After that, he asked are we living together, and do we have any document provide that. Where did we meet, What do we do during the holiday season? It seems like a conversation with a friend rather than an interview. And then we started giving him our docs.
Documents that we bring to the interview:
Noticed that all docs have both names on it and most of the docs are from 2015 till now
- Our house title from 2017
- Car loan statements : 3 years
- Car insurances
- Health insurances
- Tax return : 3 years
- Banking statement: We are not using our joint bank at all since credit cards give us lots of cash back and I set up auto-pay for every bill. The office said it's okay. He knows this situation.
- Electric, Water, Trash 6 months recently
- ADT security
- Pics ( Our pics are ridiculous. We were taking the pictures for fun, not for submitting to USCIS. But I think just bringing whatever we are. The Office was laughing when he saw our pictures. SHAME.
- Our paychecks which showing direct deposit to the joint bank account.
- T-Mobile account statement from 2016 ( We were unable to access statements more than two years ago).
- Some "ancient" gift cards since 2014.
While I keep giving the Officer our documents, he said: " I think it's enough." We still had more, but he said he could take it if we want. Otherwise, it's enough for him. So I give him all docs because I printed out already.
Our documents are high lighted what/where are essential information is. Think about it, when someone submits 60 pages of documents to you, are you going to go each line and see what it is? I think " NO." So my point is reduced workload for the officer. Help someone; someone helps you.
At the end of the interview, he said if we have any questions to ask. I just asked when we expected the GC on hand. Then he spoke for about two months.
" WHY DO I NEED TO WAIT FOR 2 MONTHS". The officer explained that he is going to approved my I-485, but because the I-130 was sent back to our country to process in the NVC ( Facepalm), so he had to request NVC to send it back. ( And he request it the same day as interview day) Till this time, the paperwork should be done.
Fine, we know our situation. We've been waiting for three years, then two month is nothing, plus we don't care about immigration as much as before but our relationship.
Total time interview was like 15 minutes. ( I asked myself " Really? That's all????!!) . The office said thanks to us because the documents were unambiguous and focused on what is he looking for. About ten mins after we get out of USCIS office, our case status updated to " Interview is completed, the case must be reviewed". 2 weeks after that day, the status updated to " New card is being produced.". We are waiting for it to delivery. Oh, then it's two weeks instead of 2 months. Lol.
For all of us care to wait, I would like to say " Keep calm and carry on." The process takes time, but in the end, we will get there.
First, I would like to say "Thanks" to all, especially @UScitizenFilingforspouse.
I field I485 family base since Oct 2017, I-130 approved from June 2015. F2A category because my sprout is a GC holder. So we kept waiting from 2015 till Oct 2017 to have visa bulletin up to date. Then interview noticed on Aug 2018, and the interview was in Sep 2019.
We came to USCIS local office 15 minutes early. There were just two couples went at the same time as us. I've been in this office so many times, the security man remembers my face( lol ), and he said Hi to me before I can say anything. And then he told my document package is cute because it's pink. ( Jesus, I don't have any bag big enough to carry all docs, so I take my wife's purse which is ...pink color...: -s.
We were waiting for 20 minutes to get into the interview room.
First, the officer asked us to raise our right hand and swear to tell the truth.
Second, he saw we had a massive pack of documents; he said to take time and prepare material to give them to him. Then he goes through information in the I-485 form. He asked my name, DoB, address, about 20 questions and I kept saying " No, Nope, No Sir....".
After that, he asked are we living together, and do we have any document provide that. Where did we meet, What do we do during the holiday season? It seems like a conversation with a friend rather than an interview. And then we started giving him our docs.
Documents that we bring to the interview:
Noticed that all docs have both names on it and most of the docs are from 2015 till now
- Our house title from 2017
- Car loan statements : 3 years
- Car insurances
- Health insurances
- Tax return : 3 years
- Banking statement: We are not using our joint bank at all since credit cards give us lots of cash back and I set up auto-pay for every bill. The office said it's okay. He knows this situation.
- Electric, Water, Trash 6 months recently
- ADT security
- Pics ( Our pics are ridiculous. We were taking the pictures for fun, not for submitting to USCIS. But I think just bringing whatever we are. The Office was laughing when he saw our pictures. SHAME.
- Our paychecks which showing direct deposit to the joint bank account.
- T-Mobile account statement from 2016 ( We were unable to access statements more than two years ago).
- Some "ancient" gift cards since 2014.
While I keep giving the Officer our documents, he said: " I think it's enough." We still had more, but he said he could take it if we want. Otherwise, it's enough for him. So I give him all docs because I printed out already.
Our documents are high lighted what/where are essential information is. Think about it, when someone submits 60 pages of documents to you, are you going to go each line and see what it is? I think " NO." So my point is reduced workload for the officer. Help someone; someone helps you.
At the end of the interview, he said if we have any questions to ask. I just asked when we expected the GC on hand. Then he spoke for about two months.
" WHY DO I NEED TO WAIT FOR 2 MONTHS". The officer explained that he is going to approved my I-485, but because the I-130 was sent back to our country to process in the NVC ( Facepalm), so he had to request NVC to send it back. ( And he request it the same day as interview day) Till this time, the paperwork should be done.
Fine, we know our situation. We've been waiting for three years, then two month is nothing, plus we don't care about immigration as much as before but our relationship.
Total time interview was like 15 minutes. ( I asked myself " Really? That's all????!!) . The office said thanks to us because the documents were unambiguous and focused on what is he looking for. About ten mins after we get out of USCIS office, our case status updated to " Interview is completed, the case must be reviewed". 2 weeks after that day, the status updated to " New card is being produced.". We are waiting for it to delivery. Oh, then it's two weeks instead of 2 months. Lol.
For all of us care to wait, I would like to say " Keep calm and carry on." The process takes time, but in the end, we will get there.
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