My timeline :-) Greencard through Marriage

[gaconmapmap]

hi

Hello all, I want to share my green card application experience since Immihelp really provided me a lot of help! Thanks for all your effort!
My background:
I used to be F-1 Student, then transferred to H1B status. Currently I am still under H1B status and applying for green card through marriage.

We prepared complete application forms and supporting documents so there's no RFE later. I really suggest to do so then it will save both side's time. I did apply for EAD I -765 but not apply I-131 for travel re-enrty. Here is the timeline as follows:
05/14/16 Marriage registration
05/25/16 Medical Immigration Exam
05/15-06/09/16 Set up joint account and collect supportive documents
05/27/16 Test result for medical immigration exam, do shot and get result
(no X-ray necessary in my test, or may take extra appointment to get result and the sealed envelop for application)
06/10/16 Mail out application package
06/21/16 Receive text and email info will mail out notice in 7-10 days, showing 06/13/16 USCIS received case, 3 case numbers in sequence
06/23/16 Receive paper letter mailing for notice
06/29/16 Receive notice for 07/15/16 scheduled fingerprint recording (you may argue to reschedule if not want this default scheduled date)
07/15/16 Record biometric finger print in local office, spent around 1 hour including waiting period
08/12/16 Check USCIS status update today, Interview notice mailed out, schedule on 09/14/16
08/15/16 Receive interview notice scheduled on 09/14/16 at 11AM
08/25/16 Check USCIS status update, "EAD Card is being processed"Suppose it would be mailed out within 1-2 weeks
08/26/16 Check USCIS status update, “I-765 Case was approved, will mail you approval notice......”checked online, many people already receive EAD card before receiving the approval notice
08/30/16 Received I-797 Notice of Action (Approval notice)
09/01/16 Received EAD Card (on 8th days, yes receive within 1-2 weeks after status updated)
09/14/16 Green card interview at 11AM
09/14/16 Check online status at night, I-485 and I-130 cases were both approved, we suppose it will still take a couple of weeks to receive the green card, at least around mid-October it should arrive

Honestly, we had a really harsh time for seperate interview, which means it's treated as fraud at first, it last about 25 min for my portion (applicant), and last about 15 min for my spouse (Sponsor), he behaved so nervous and could not tell some timing questions correctly. I believe it was because the interviewer made people under a big pressure and nervous, though we are truly in love with each other and built a real marriage. We were asked some private questions including birth control, having baby plan and intimate activity. I did bring additional suffcient documents to prove our marriage is real, including an album that we made in advance to record our daily sweet time together (And I found the interviewer started to relax and play jokes when browsing the album). The interviewer kept all additional supportive documents that I provided including joint bank accounts, utility bills and pay stubs for most recent three months as we have accumulated after mailing out the original application. After my husband came out from interview office, the interviewer did not say anything but mention we would receive a notice within 30 days. He did not keep my passport or give me any paper as I assume there should be. The notice could be an approval, denial or pending for review...... To sum up, it was really a FRUSTRATING Interview, we were so nervous the whole day for the final result and start thinking the "what if" situation already, though the relationship is totally true 'cause I was aware online some cases based on real marriage were denied per judgement. It was a suffering day for both of us. Then at night, I checked online status changed to "Case was approved" for both I-485 and I-130, I can't help crying.

As far as I can see from my application experience, I just can't believe the whole process is so smooth and efficient, (though it terrified me whole day on interview) it takes 3 months in total for processing, well maybe more since still need consider the time of receiving green card, maybe in 2-3 weeks plus, so within four months, so impressive on the USCIS working efficiency!

I hope this could help and wish you all succeed:-)

Did they make you interview separately? Do they do that often?

[mariam316]

I want to share my case with you guys in hopes that it will give more insight to others as I was unable to find any cases similar to my own.

I received DACA originally in 2013 (filed in 2012 and received it approximately 1 year later)
I married my husband who is a United States Citizen in 2014
I renewed my DACA in 2015

We filed form I-130 with I-485 and all other forms (EXCEPT form I-765 because I already have an EAD through DACA) on December 1, 2016

This is the beginning of my process and I will post updates as we progress.

The thing about our case which I hope does not cause any delays is that WE LIVE IN DIFFERENT STATES. I live in New York and he lives in Florida and it has been this way since we began dating in 2008. We go back and forth regularly of course and we know each others families, etc. We lived together for one year from 2013 to 2014 in NY. I am finishing up school in NY and do plan on moving to FL to live with him. Another factor is that we don't have many things with both our names on it like insurance, lease, bills, etc. All we have is a joint account together, which doesn't see that much activity. We both work and live with our parents so besides car and cell phone (and tuition for me) we don't have that many bills or things that might require both our names on it. It is not hard to prove our relationship is legitimate but I am worried that these two factors will complicate the process. I will definitely provide updates as I receive them. I hope this will be helpful to couples out there in a situation similar to ours.

I'm also a DACA recipient that is also filing to adjust my status through my husband, a U.S. citizen. We have been married for over 12 years now and we decided to file now since I was able to get advanced parole to go to Mexico under DACA and skip the waiver part. Im worried that my work permit does not get to me in time and that I'd lose my job. USCIS got my app on 12/22/16 and my card expires on 3/22/17. If you'd like we can keep in touch with our cases, since the dates are similar and in a similar situation.

[hugovalgutz]

I'm also a DACA recipient that is also filing to adjust my status through my husband, a U.S. citizen. We have been married for over 12 years now and we decided to file now since I was able to get advanced parole to go to Mexico under DACA and skip the waiver part. Im worried that my work permit does not get to me in time and that I'd lose my job. USCIS got my app on 12/22/16 and my card expires on 3/22/17. If you'd like we can keep in touch with our cases, since the dates are similar and in a similar situation.

[Ishan747]

Any update Chloe?

[QUOTE=Chloe12;473489]I want to share my case with you guys in hopes that it will give more insight to others as I was unable to find any cases similar to my own.

Hi Chloe, have you received any updates from USCIS? I have filed for PR with similar conditions. It's been 3 months and I just received EAD approval notice.

[Invinci]

Hi there
This is very similar to my case. Please did your wife use your last name or her maiden name when filling her part in all the forms?
Thank you in advance

Since we got married here and my wife changed her last name. We kept her new last name in the application. The application went with no problem.

[MariR]

Sharing my timeline

Hello guys! Would like to share mine too! Got my GC already.

March 1, 2016 - Arrived in the United States

August 4, 2016 - submitted our AOS package (I-130, I-485, I-765) (USPS Priority Mail)

August 8, 2016 - Package arrived at USCIS Chicago Lockbox

August 19. 2016 - at 12:26 am I received email notifications that our application has been accepted and routed to the USCIS National Benefits Center for processing.

August 21, 2016 - all cases receipts are working online. I registered for email and text alerts here.

August 22, 2016 - got hard copies of Notice of Actions (NOA) in the mail. Notice date is August 17, 2016.

October 21, 2016 - received biometrics letter in the mail (Finally! Almost 2 months from NOA 1 date).

November 4, 2016 - I-765, Employment Authorization Document (EAD) updated online to 'Case was Approved' on October 31.

November 7, 2016 - received EAD approval notice in the mail.

November 14, 2016 - Biometrics appointment in Tampa (in and out within 35 mins). Check my post about my experience here.

November 15, 2016 - I-765, (EAD) updated online to 'New Card Is Being Produced'.

November 18, 2016 - I-765, (EAD) updated online to 'Card Mailed to Me'.

November 22, 2016 - I-765, (EAD) updated online to 'Card Was Delivered To Me By The Post Office' and found it in the mailbox!

November 28, 2016 - Applied for Social Security Number (SSN). Check my post about my experience here.

December 3, 2016 - SS card received in the mailbox.

January 27, 2017 - Received a text message from USCIS that there is a change in my case. I now have a schedule for interview and it's on March 2!

January 30, 2017 - Received the Interview Appointment letter in the Mail.

[DallasGreenCard]

GC thru marriage timeline

10/24/2016 All Documents mailed to USCIS
10/25/2016 Documents delivered to USCIS
11/08/2016 Text and email notification of USCIS acceptance confirmation
11/08/2016 Check payment processed
11/14/2016 Application receipt by mail
11/21/2016 Biometrics appointment notice received
12/2/2016 Biometrics scheduled and taken
1/19/2017 EAD approved
1/27/2017 EAD received in mail
5/26/2017 Interview Notice received by mail
6/20/2017 Interview scheduled at USCIS office.
6/20/2017 Approved status online
6/23/2017 Acceptance letter from USCIS
6/27/2017 Expected to receive Green Card in the mail

[groszek]

timeline and interview experience

5/10/2017 received by uscis
5/15/2017 fees processed
6/05/2017 biometrics
sometime in july they asked for more evidence
8/31/2017 scheduled for interview
10/3/2017 interviev approved on the spot

I don't remember all dates, my EAD wasn't updated since may but it doesn't matter now
We had the interview today in Chicago and it didn't even take 5 minutes, as we walked in, the guy who interviewed us noticed that we have matching tattoos and after that he hardly asked any questions, he asked when we met and how, when we moved in together (jan 2015) and got married (jan 2016) looked at few pictures and asked usual "no" questions (if I'm a terrorist etc) took a copy of the lease and a bank statement for joint account and congratulated us
so happy!!! how long does it take for the gc to be delivered in the mail?

[shy_20910]

I have the same question.
For most cases I see online, interview notice comes within 2~3 months after fingerprint completed.
It has been about 4 months since my fingerprint got done.

1. 07/18/2016, Concurrent filing received by USCIS Chicago
2. 07/22/2016, receipt numbers received via text message and email. Come in mail after a week.
3. 08/05/2016, notice for fingerprint schedule received.
4. 08/17/2016, fingerprint done in New york city.
5. 09/06/2016, I-485 status changed to ready to schedule for interview.
6. 09/27/2016, received I-797 for approval of AP and EAD. Comes in mail in about 2 weeks.
Moved to Texas and nothing happened since....

i have same problem

married to american citizen

PD 27th June

still waiting for EAD

still

[Chloe12]

Update

I want to share my case with you guys in hopes that it will give more insight to others as I was unable to find any cases similar to my own.

I received DACA originally in 2013 (filed in 2012 and received it approximately 1 year later)
I married my husband who is a United States Citizen in 2014
I renewed my DACA in 2015

We filed form I-130 with I-485 and all other forms (EXCEPT form I-765 because I already have an EAD through DACA) on December 1, 2016

This is the beginning of my process and I will post updates as we progress.

The thing about our case which I hope does not cause any delays is that WE LIVE IN DIFFERENT STATES. I live in New York and he lives in Florida and it has been this way since we began dating in 2008. We go back and forth regularly of course and we know each others families, etc. We lived together for one year from 2013 to 2014 in NY. I am finishing up school in NY and do plan on moving to FL to live with him. Another factor is that we don't have many things with both our names on it like insurance, lease, bills, etc. All we have is a joint account together, which doesn't see that much activity. We both work and live with our parents so besides car and cell phone (and tuition for me) we don't have that many bills or things that might require both our names on it. It is not hard to prove our relationship is legitimate but I am worried that these two factors will complicate the process. I will definitely provide updates as I receive them. I hope this will be helpful to couples out there in a situation similar to ours.

I would like to provide an update on my case which is finally, almost at an end.

I submitted my application in December of 2016. I received advance parole in March of 2017. BY July of 2017, I had yet to recieve any other word from USCIS about my application. My DACA issued EAD was coming up on expiration on October 29 so I decided to send in the EAD portion of the AOS application which I had omitted during initial filing. There was no addtional cost for this. I mailed it in on August 1st 2017.
Coming up on September, still hadn't heard from USCIS so i called their 800 number and was able to speak with someone about why we hadn't received an appointment for an interview. At this time, I also requested to have my EAD application be expedited on the grounds of ?severe financial loss? because I would lose my job if i were without a valid EAD.
About 2 weeks later, we received a letter with an interview date set for October 24. I also received an EMAIL stating that USCIS would need more information in order to process my expedite request. They wanted a faxed statement on company letter head stating that i would indeed be terminated if i did not have a work permit. I contacted HR at my job and they took care of this right away for me. 2-3 weeks later, I received a new EAD, valid for 1 year.

Then comes our interview. Our interview was in NY in lower Manhattan so my husband came from FL to NY for the big day (we live in seperate states). We were about 15 mins late for the interview because we went to the wrong address initially. When we arrived, no one seemed to notice that we were late so we proceeded as usual. We checked in and waited for about 2 hours to see the officer. The interview lasted about 15 mins.

What we took to the interview:

Pictures (barely looked at them)
Lots of plane ticket itineraries (because we do not live together)
Life insurance policies
Passports
Emails and letters we sent to each other over the years
Marriage certificate
(That?s all I can remember, we did not take a lot of stuff with us)

Questions we were asked:
The questions were very simple. She did not ask any questions we did not know the answer to. Anyone in a legit relationship can answer these questions. She directed questions at me, and at him.

Where was your spouse born?
What is your spouse?s DOB?
What is your spouse?s address?
Describe your spouse?s home
Does your spouse have any children? (Neither of us have children so that?s as far as the children questions went)
Where do you spouse?s parents reside?
Do we want children? (We gave different answers regarding that)
(We interviewed together, we were not separated at any point)
We also had to explain why we did not live together. I explained that i was still in school and he is working and that i intended to move to FL once my schooling was complete.

So in November, I received a letter stating that they need more evidence. They requested information regarding a situation from 2009 to be brought into the same office on Dec 11. On Dec 11, i brought the information to the office, handed it in at the desk and that was it. I did not need to speak with the officer and my husband did not need to be there.
About a week after I handed that in, I got another request in the mail for more evidence. This time they needed a new medical exam because it had been more than a year since the inital one was submitted. That was to be brought in Jan 29. That process went the same way as it did the first time.

Today i decided to check the case status online. It said my card was sent on Feb 8. Once i receive it, I will post one final update and I will be done with this long but not so difficult process.

I also want you guys to know that we did not have a lawyer nor did we consult one throughout this process. We make decent money but we did not want to shell out a couple thousand dollars for a lawyer. I did lots of research, read the forms thoroughly (actually filled out a few different ones to avoid mistakes on the final application), and spoke to people who had gone through the process. I?m 25, my husband is 28. If you dont have the money for a lawyer, you can do go through the entire process on your own. Unless you have a complicated case and actually need one. The one thing i thought would work against us was the fact that we do not live together but we were honest and never tried to pretend that we did.

Last few tips:
Be honest
Do your own research
Don?t listen to everything other people say (I received a lot of advice to lie) puss and dog do not have the same luck!

- - - Updated - - -

I'm also a DACA recipient that is also filing to adjust my status through my husband, a U.S. citizen. We have been married for over 12 years now and we decided to file now since I was able to get advanced parole to go to Mexico under DACA and skip the waiver part. Im worried that my work permit does not get to me in time and that I'd lose my job. USCIS got my app on 12/22/16 and my card expires on 3/22/17. If you'd like we can keep in touch with our cases, since the dates are similar and in a similar situation.

Just posted an update. You can request that your EAD be expedited if you haven't received it already

- - - Updated - - -

[QUOTE=Ishan747;486976]

I want to share my case with you guys in hopes that it will give more insight to others as I was unable to find any cases similar to my own.

Hi Chloe, have you received any updates from USCIS? I have filed for PR with similar conditions. It's been 3 months and I just received EAD approval notice.

Just posted an update

[RockanRolla]

Still waiting for GC

My interview was approved on the spot on 01/04/2018.
But still no update on the USCIS website or havent received my GC in mail.
Its been over 90 days now.
Any idea what shall i do or how many days it takes to receive GC after approval?

[mr.coolboy]

Experts: need your guidance

Hi Experts,

I need some information. My wife is filing for the greencard for me. She is an American but she is living with me in canada for last one year. We will continue to live in canada till we move to US after receiving my greencard. Can someone let me know what all forms we need to fill and send to which address. Also currently as she is living with me in canada and not working we are using a cosponsor who is working in US. What form our cosponsor needs to fill for us.

I know I130 is one of the form to be filled, and want to know what all other forms i we need to fill while filing for my greencard. We need to send all forms at the begining or later in the process. Please help.

[mr.coolboy]

hi

hi

[mr.coolboy]

do i need to submit I-485 along with I130

Experts...please help

My wife who is an american citizen is applying for my green card by filing I130 and currently we live in Canada and we decided to go through consular processing....so in our case do we still need to submit i485 along with our i130? please advise

[ashley36]

Hi Experts,

I need some information. My wife is filing for the greencard for me. She is an American but she is living with me in canada for last one year. We will continue to live in canada till we move to US after receiving my greencard. Can someone let me know what all forms we need to fill and send to which address. Also currently as she is living with me in canada and not working we are using a cosponsor who is working in US. What form our cosponsor needs to fill for us.

I know I130 is one of the form to be filled, and want to know what all other forms i we need to fill while filing for my greencard. We need to send all forms at the begining or later in the process. Please help.

I suggest talking to a lawyer. A minor mistake can mess up your application process.