Hi,
My status was updated to new card being produced today. Yayy! KCC sent my file last friday Aug 28, they took about a month after it was requested.
Here is my experience over all-
I was current for Aug. I sent my AOS package on June absolutely utilizing the early filing memo. I cannot stress how important this is. After that everything was was very smooth and fast for me and I had my interview in late July. The only glitch was that my FO forgot to request my file from KCC. The IO was very apologetic about this and therefore I had to wait for a month for KCC to finally send my file to my FO. In the interview everything was straighforward- oath and then going through my I-485. Also, I had done a mistake in my I-485 which we corrected during my interview. (I had also called USCIS about this mistake as soon as I came to know about it. The USCIS operator was very nice, calmed me down and said he would forward my inquiry to my FO-which they did and I received a letter about it from my FO. ) Again back to the interview, the IO said that everything looks fine except that my medicals have expired. I politely asked how long the medicals are valid for. IO said a year (though it is 6 months now), so I pointed out that my was done in Feb 2015. Again the IO was apologetic and said all other cases had 2014 so sorry for the mistake. The IO did not know about STEM OPT extension, so I explained to her about it. Also, took my old EAD cards to shred them.
The IO was very aware of the SEP deadline and said I hope we will get this done by then and assured me that DV AOS cases are top priority. I did not have to say a word, so that was nice that they were aware of the fact. The staff and IO were really friendly and nice at my FO.
About KCC hold up- Patience is the key. Honestly, I dont think calling helps at all. They take the time they need whether you call or not. The response when you call KCC is the same 2-4 weeks. I had even called a day before my file was sent, and got the response that it will take a week or so, but then my file was sent the very next day.
Few pointers for future DV AOSers-
READ the google docs through and through. You may not understand when you read once, so read again. You have any questions, ask in this forum. It is amazing how
@Sm1smom finds the time to answer all of our questions and sometimes even answer the same ques again for different users. So the least we can do is read the google docs and spreadsheet, the past conversations in the forum. You can learn so much from other users issues.
IF you need to apply OPT, from my experience that is fine. I appied my OPT extension a month before applying AOS ( also I had already filed my DS 260). I got my New OPT card 2 months after I had applied.
I had also applied for the GC-EAD (I 765) and I got the EAD but it is totally useless I guess.
The DV based AOS is fairly simple process and fast too, compared to how long other process is ( family based or employment based GC). So you need to be thankful and really patient. If anything I have learned form this process, it is to be PATIENT.
Also, do not hesitate to ask questions. There are plenty of nice people who will get back to you with answers.
I cannot thank
@Sm1smom enough. Also,
@Britsimon for his reassuring msg. Everyone else in this forum- i cant remember the users but thank you.
@SusieQQQ I really love your hilarious responses.
@Ivo Stoyanov and
@samc_1988 we came out of this together yayy.
@Ivo Stoyanov good news on way for you too. I will still check this forum and 2016 AOS forum and use my experience to help others. If that is okay with you
@Sm1smom I see this as the only way to help you and thank you.
