BarbaraLamb
Registered Users (C)
MY AOS EXPERIENCE AND A FEW TIPS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. AOS v. CP
2. CRONOLOGY
3. NOTES ON FILING
4. COLLECTION OF DOCUMENTS
5. ASSEMBLING PACKAGE
6. TRACK YOUR CASE/BIOMETRICS
7. INTERVIEW
8. POST INTERVIEW PROBLEMS
9. RECEIVING GREEN CARD
10. CONTACTS/LINKS
_______________________________________
1. AOS v. CP
I chose AOS because my number was very low and I knew it would be current in October. I knew that with CP I would have an instant result sometime in October, with AOS it would take 3-4 months. Even so I decided for AOS. I wouldn’t need to travel, I could do everything from the comfort of my home…or so I thought.
The fact that my number was current so soon didn’t give me enough time to really explore the pros and cons of both processes. I had read some unfortunate AOS stories but, I thought, it wouldn’t happen to me.
A word of advice: If your case is “clean”, i.e. you have never overstayed your visa, don’t have a criminal record, you have all requested documents etc. then Consular Processing is fast and easy. Maybe just expensive if you need to buy a ticket home.
With AOS even if your case is “clean” you can still encounter difficulties for no reason whatsoever! The main headache that a lot of people experience is the infamous background check (security/name check). If you are a single applicant you run the risk of getting stuck in an endless background check that may exceed the 30 Sept. deadline and consequently lose your GC. If you are not the sole applicant but have a spouse and maybe children then that risk is multiplied, since one backgrond check delay will affect the rest of the family.
Another not so rare problem that you may encounter if you do AOS is that since your I-485 application files will literally travel across three States, not to count the KCC files that will also have to reach your local USCIS office, at some point the risk of files getting lost, misplaced, separated from your spouse’s, sent to Embassies around the world by mistake, sent to the wrong USCIS office etc. is not to be underestimated. I’m not making this up, it does happen and you can read all about people’s dramas on any DV forum like this one.
I don’t want to scare you, just to make you realise that if you are in a position to choose CP then go for it, leave AOS as a last resort. If your case number is medium to high then you may run the risk of becoming the victim of massive delay that will require help.
My personal case suffered two types of delay. The first was that I couldn’t be adjudicated at the time of interview (April) because the officer had misplaced my husband’s file and without it they cannot give you a result. Wanting to keep our cases together that meant I couldn’t have a result either! We later discovered that my husband’s security check had been pending for months. In May we started writing letters, contacted the Senator’s office and our Congresswoman’s office. We wrote more letters, we visited our local office on Infopasses numerous times. We contacted the Sen. and Con.’s offices weekly to make sure they were actually doing something. More time went by. Then finally at the very end of August, ten months from the time we filed for AOS, and four months after the interview we were finally adjudicated.
Having said so, although AOS problems that people encounter are far too many and the USCIS are not a very efficient, there are just as many applicants who experience a smooth ride including receiving an approval letter without an interview!!
The choice is yours.
By the way, if you have enough time before your number becomes current it is possible to switch your choice around, AOS instead of CP, CP instead of AOS. Keep an eye on KCC file transit and you’ll be OK.
____________________________________________
2. CRONOLOGY
05/09/05 NL Received
05/23/05 Sent forms DS-122 and DS-230 back to KCC NOTE: Some say that if you do AOS you don’t need to send both forms. Some say you do. I did.
Made copies of all forms for my own records.
Summer 05: Collected all documents needed for filing like Birth Certificate, Degree etc. and Police Certificates. See full list below in Package Sample. NOTE: If you do AOS you don’t need to provide Police Certificates, the FBI will do all the work.
09/--/05 Medicals done.
09/22/06 Got married
09/23/06 Notified KCC by email and sent husband’s forms to KCC plus Marriage Certificate and Spouse’s Birth Certificate as requested by KCC. A week later I called KCC for confirmation of receipt of package.
09/23/06 Sent Visa fee for two applicants to Dept. of State. Receipt received five days later.
10/13/05 Following instructions found online on USCIS site and DV forums I sent the full package containing my I-485 application together with my husband’s to CHICAGO LOCKBOX.
10/21/05 Received NOA (Notice of Action) from Missouri Service Center.
02/02/06 Biometrics taken at local USCIS office as walk-ins.
04/25/06 Interview. No Adjudication given because my husband’s file was missing and his background check was pending.
May to August 06 A lot of work tracking progress and pushing for adjudication.
08/25-28/06 Approval letters received
09/05/06 Green Cards received (one with error)
_________________________________________
3. NOTES ON FILING
For my AOS I filed I-485 only, some people file for EAD (Employment Authorization Document Form I-765) and Advance Parole (Travel Document Form I-131). If you file for EAD you will be able to work. If you intend to travel abroad while waiting for your interview file for AP. All of these forms should be filed at the same time.
_________________________________________________________
4. COLLECTION OF DOCUMENTS
Your NL should contain a list of documents you are expected to collect and present at your interview, if doing CP, or include in your AOS package.
For AOS do not send original documents. Send COPIES only.
Try to include as many documents as possible so that your package is complete, but if you can’t it’s OK, take copies and originals with you to your interview. This way the officer examining your case will have a more comprehensive picture and won’t need to ask for additional evidence, thus avoiding delays.
For the medicals (Form I-693) find online on USCIS website names and addresses of approved doctors.
See below an example of the package I sent:
_________________________________________________________
Cover Letter
Enclosures List
All items as listed in Enclosures list
_____________________________________
DV 2006 – Case number: 2006EU0000XXXX
Application to Adjust Status for _______________
Attached:
Copy of Notification Letter from Kentucky Consular Center with Barcode
Copy of Receipt of Payment to Department of State for $___
Money Order to Dept. of Homeland Security (For I-485 and Biometrics) $ ___
2 Photographs in envelope
Form I-485 Adjustment of Status
Form G-325a Biographic Information (4 copies)
Form I-693 Medical Results in sealed envelope
Copies of:
1. Birth Certificate
2. Education Documents - Evidence of eligibility as DV winner
3. Letter from ________ regarding translations
4. Bank Statement with attached translation
5. Other financial documents with translation
6. Police Certificates with full translation (Optional)
7. Employment Letter
8. First page of passport
9. Visa page of passport
10. I-94 Evidence of Current Valid Status
11. Form I-134 Affidavit of Support
NOTE: For the translation of documents I went online and found the local University’s Language Department, emailed all listed as translators and asked if they could help with the job. In my case only one replied and translated a few docs. I also asked for a University letter-headed paper in which the translator declared to be qualified etc. and had it notarized at the local bank for free. See what USCIS says about translations below under TIPS ON FILING.
In my State (Wisconsin) banks provide Notary Service for free.
__________________________________________________________
5. ASSEMBLING PACKAGE
Please read the following USCIS link carefully, a lot of info may not apply to you, there is though very useful information on how to file and assemble your AOS package, from what paper clips to use to how to present it.
TIPS ON FILING
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/us...nnel=fe529c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD
You are now ready to send your complete AOS Package to the Chicago Lockbox.
WHEN TO SEND IT: The safe way is to have it ready and to send it when your number is current. See http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_1360.html to determine when that is. Sending it too soon is HIGH RISK !!!!! Some offices will return it if received before your number is current. Then you’ll have to re-file and pay again. It’s a gamble.
NOTE: The Chicago Lockbox will return your package if the fees sent are not correct. Their job is to simply deal with the money aspect. If the fees are correct they will forward your package to MSC (Missouri Service Center) where your AOS package will be examined and scanned.
You will receive a NOA (Notice of Action) from MSC 1 to 3 weeks after sending it in.
NOTE: Make a copy of everything, duplicate your package exactly as it was sent and keep it for your own records.
_________________________________________________________
6. TRACK YOUR CASE/Biometrics
Keep an eye on your progress, you can check you case online
https://egov.immigration.gov/cris/caseStatusSearchDisplay.do
If you don’t receive a Biometrics appointment when you know you should (by comparing with others on DV forums), visit your local USCIS office and ask about it. At times they will let you take your Biometrics as walk-ins.
Same thing with your interview. If your letter does not come when you think it should just get Infopasses and ask about it.
_________________________________________________________
7. INTERVIEW
Take all your original documents and the duplicate package that you made at time of filing with you, and anything else you’ve omitted to send.
Reminder: we filed in October and in April we had our interview.
My interview was about 10 minutes long, to the point. The officer had not looked at my file at all and my husband’s was missing. For that reason he could not adjudicate. It was very disappointing for us. He promised we would hear withing 90 days. That did not happen. My husband’s background check was also delayed.
Very few questions were asked, maily we were sworn in.
_________________________________________________________
8. POST-INTERVIEW PROBLEMS
Time went by and we heard nothing. In May we started working towards resolving the background check delay by:
Writing to the local Congressman’s Office
Writing to the local Senator’s Office
Writing to our local USCIS Office
Visiting our local USCIS Office
We kept in touch with each office weekly.
In August the background check was still pending. We kept making Infopasses and contacting all offices.
Finally at the very end of August we were approved.
_________________________________________________________
9. RECEIVING Green Card
During the first week in September:
We received online updates regarding our approval, and Green Card production.
We received Approval/Welcome letters from Missouri.
Within a week we received our Green Cards BUT…my card contained a data error and I had to file form I-90 and attach the original card plus supporting documents.
Three weeks later I received a NOA regarding GC replacement.
Meanwhile since I needed to travel abroad I visited my local USCIS office and received an I-551 stamp valid for one year.
The estimated time for receiving a replacement card is 90-120 days.
______________________________________________
10. CONTACTS/LINKS
Here’s some useful links:
USCIS: www.uscis.gov
Department of State: http://travel.state.gov/index.html
Visa Bulletin: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_1360.html
Online Status: https://egov.immigration.gov/cris/caseStatusSearchDisplay.do
Medicals: http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-693.htm
Tips on Filing: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/us...nnel=fe529c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD
I-485: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/us...nnel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD
ADVANCE PAROLE FORM I-131: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/us...nnel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD
EAD FORM I-765: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/us...nnel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD
AOS GUIDE TO OFFICERS: See attachments below.
FBI Namecheck: See attachments below.
DV Forums: www.immigrationportal.com and http://www.clalar.dk/dv-lottery/
KCC:
Kentucky Consular Center
3505 N Hwy 25-W
Williamsburg, KY 40769
Phone: (606) 526 7500
Fax: (606) 526 7501
E-mail: KCCDV@state.gov
www.travel.state.gov
______________________________________________
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE AND ENJOY THE JOURNEY!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. AOS v. CP
2. CRONOLOGY
3. NOTES ON FILING
4. COLLECTION OF DOCUMENTS
5. ASSEMBLING PACKAGE
6. TRACK YOUR CASE/BIOMETRICS
7. INTERVIEW
8. POST INTERVIEW PROBLEMS
9. RECEIVING GREEN CARD
10. CONTACTS/LINKS
_______________________________________
1. AOS v. CP
I chose AOS because my number was very low and I knew it would be current in October. I knew that with CP I would have an instant result sometime in October, with AOS it would take 3-4 months. Even so I decided for AOS. I wouldn’t need to travel, I could do everything from the comfort of my home…or so I thought.
The fact that my number was current so soon didn’t give me enough time to really explore the pros and cons of both processes. I had read some unfortunate AOS stories but, I thought, it wouldn’t happen to me.
A word of advice: If your case is “clean”, i.e. you have never overstayed your visa, don’t have a criminal record, you have all requested documents etc. then Consular Processing is fast and easy. Maybe just expensive if you need to buy a ticket home.
With AOS even if your case is “clean” you can still encounter difficulties for no reason whatsoever! The main headache that a lot of people experience is the infamous background check (security/name check). If you are a single applicant you run the risk of getting stuck in an endless background check that may exceed the 30 Sept. deadline and consequently lose your GC. If you are not the sole applicant but have a spouse and maybe children then that risk is multiplied, since one backgrond check delay will affect the rest of the family.
Another not so rare problem that you may encounter if you do AOS is that since your I-485 application files will literally travel across three States, not to count the KCC files that will also have to reach your local USCIS office, at some point the risk of files getting lost, misplaced, separated from your spouse’s, sent to Embassies around the world by mistake, sent to the wrong USCIS office etc. is not to be underestimated. I’m not making this up, it does happen and you can read all about people’s dramas on any DV forum like this one.
I don’t want to scare you, just to make you realise that if you are in a position to choose CP then go for it, leave AOS as a last resort. If your case number is medium to high then you may run the risk of becoming the victim of massive delay that will require help.
My personal case suffered two types of delay. The first was that I couldn’t be adjudicated at the time of interview (April) because the officer had misplaced my husband’s file and without it they cannot give you a result. Wanting to keep our cases together that meant I couldn’t have a result either! We later discovered that my husband’s security check had been pending for months. In May we started writing letters, contacted the Senator’s office and our Congresswoman’s office. We wrote more letters, we visited our local office on Infopasses numerous times. We contacted the Sen. and Con.’s offices weekly to make sure they were actually doing something. More time went by. Then finally at the very end of August, ten months from the time we filed for AOS, and four months after the interview we were finally adjudicated.
Having said so, although AOS problems that people encounter are far too many and the USCIS are not a very efficient, there are just as many applicants who experience a smooth ride including receiving an approval letter without an interview!!
The choice is yours.
By the way, if you have enough time before your number becomes current it is possible to switch your choice around, AOS instead of CP, CP instead of AOS. Keep an eye on KCC file transit and you’ll be OK.
____________________________________________
2. CRONOLOGY
05/09/05 NL Received
05/23/05 Sent forms DS-122 and DS-230 back to KCC NOTE: Some say that if you do AOS you don’t need to send both forms. Some say you do. I did.
Made copies of all forms for my own records.
Summer 05: Collected all documents needed for filing like Birth Certificate, Degree etc. and Police Certificates. See full list below in Package Sample. NOTE: If you do AOS you don’t need to provide Police Certificates, the FBI will do all the work.
09/--/05 Medicals done.
09/22/06 Got married
09/23/06 Notified KCC by email and sent husband’s forms to KCC plus Marriage Certificate and Spouse’s Birth Certificate as requested by KCC. A week later I called KCC for confirmation of receipt of package.
09/23/06 Sent Visa fee for two applicants to Dept. of State. Receipt received five days later.
10/13/05 Following instructions found online on USCIS site and DV forums I sent the full package containing my I-485 application together with my husband’s to CHICAGO LOCKBOX.
10/21/05 Received NOA (Notice of Action) from Missouri Service Center.
02/02/06 Biometrics taken at local USCIS office as walk-ins.
04/25/06 Interview. No Adjudication given because my husband’s file was missing and his background check was pending.
May to August 06 A lot of work tracking progress and pushing for adjudication.
08/25-28/06 Approval letters received
09/05/06 Green Cards received (one with error)
_________________________________________
3. NOTES ON FILING
For my AOS I filed I-485 only, some people file for EAD (Employment Authorization Document Form I-765) and Advance Parole (Travel Document Form I-131). If you file for EAD you will be able to work. If you intend to travel abroad while waiting for your interview file for AP. All of these forms should be filed at the same time.
_________________________________________________________
4. COLLECTION OF DOCUMENTS
Your NL should contain a list of documents you are expected to collect and present at your interview, if doing CP, or include in your AOS package.
For AOS do not send original documents. Send COPIES only.
Try to include as many documents as possible so that your package is complete, but if you can’t it’s OK, take copies and originals with you to your interview. This way the officer examining your case will have a more comprehensive picture and won’t need to ask for additional evidence, thus avoiding delays.
For the medicals (Form I-693) find online on USCIS website names and addresses of approved doctors.
See below an example of the package I sent:
_________________________________________________________
PACKAGE SAMPLE
Cover Letter
Enclosures List
All items as listed in Enclosures list
_____________________________________
DV 2006 – Case number: 2006EU0000XXXX
Application to Adjust Status for _______________
Attached:
Copy of Notification Letter from Kentucky Consular Center with Barcode
Copy of Receipt of Payment to Department of State for $___
Money Order to Dept. of Homeland Security (For I-485 and Biometrics) $ ___
2 Photographs in envelope
Form I-485 Adjustment of Status
Form G-325a Biographic Information (4 copies)
Form I-693 Medical Results in sealed envelope
Copies of:
1. Birth Certificate
2. Education Documents - Evidence of eligibility as DV winner
3. Letter from ________ regarding translations
4. Bank Statement with attached translation
5. Other financial documents with translation
6. Police Certificates with full translation (Optional)
7. Employment Letter
8. First page of passport
9. Visa page of passport
10. I-94 Evidence of Current Valid Status
11. Form I-134 Affidavit of Support
NOTE: For the translation of documents I went online and found the local University’s Language Department, emailed all listed as translators and asked if they could help with the job. In my case only one replied and translated a few docs. I also asked for a University letter-headed paper in which the translator declared to be qualified etc. and had it notarized at the local bank for free. See what USCIS says about translations below under TIPS ON FILING.
In my State (Wisconsin) banks provide Notary Service for free.
__________________________________________________________
5. ASSEMBLING PACKAGE
Please read the following USCIS link carefully, a lot of info may not apply to you, there is though very useful information on how to file and assemble your AOS package, from what paper clips to use to how to present it.
TIPS ON FILING
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/us...nnel=fe529c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD
You are now ready to send your complete AOS Package to the Chicago Lockbox.
WHEN TO SEND IT: The safe way is to have it ready and to send it when your number is current. See http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_1360.html to determine when that is. Sending it too soon is HIGH RISK !!!!! Some offices will return it if received before your number is current. Then you’ll have to re-file and pay again. It’s a gamble.
NOTE: The Chicago Lockbox will return your package if the fees sent are not correct. Their job is to simply deal with the money aspect. If the fees are correct they will forward your package to MSC (Missouri Service Center) where your AOS package will be examined and scanned.
You will receive a NOA (Notice of Action) from MSC 1 to 3 weeks after sending it in.
NOTE: Make a copy of everything, duplicate your package exactly as it was sent and keep it for your own records.
_________________________________________________________
6. TRACK YOUR CASE/Biometrics
Keep an eye on your progress, you can check you case online
https://egov.immigration.gov/cris/caseStatusSearchDisplay.do
If you don’t receive a Biometrics appointment when you know you should (by comparing with others on DV forums), visit your local USCIS office and ask about it. At times they will let you take your Biometrics as walk-ins.
Same thing with your interview. If your letter does not come when you think it should just get Infopasses and ask about it.
_________________________________________________________
7. INTERVIEW
Take all your original documents and the duplicate package that you made at time of filing with you, and anything else you’ve omitted to send.
Reminder: we filed in October and in April we had our interview.
My interview was about 10 minutes long, to the point. The officer had not looked at my file at all and my husband’s was missing. For that reason he could not adjudicate. It was very disappointing for us. He promised we would hear withing 90 days. That did not happen. My husband’s background check was also delayed.
Very few questions were asked, maily we were sworn in.
_________________________________________________________
8. POST-INTERVIEW PROBLEMS
Time went by and we heard nothing. In May we started working towards resolving the background check delay by:
Writing to the local Congressman’s Office
Writing to the local Senator’s Office
Writing to our local USCIS Office
Visiting our local USCIS Office
We kept in touch with each office weekly.
In August the background check was still pending. We kept making Infopasses and contacting all offices.
Finally at the very end of August we were approved.
_________________________________________________________
9. RECEIVING Green Card
During the first week in September:
We received online updates regarding our approval, and Green Card production.
We received Approval/Welcome letters from Missouri.
Within a week we received our Green Cards BUT…my card contained a data error and I had to file form I-90 and attach the original card plus supporting documents.
Three weeks later I received a NOA regarding GC replacement.
Meanwhile since I needed to travel abroad I visited my local USCIS office and received an I-551 stamp valid for one year.
The estimated time for receiving a replacement card is 90-120 days.
______________________________________________
10. CONTACTS/LINKS
Here’s some useful links:
USCIS: www.uscis.gov
Department of State: http://travel.state.gov/index.html
Visa Bulletin: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_1360.html
Online Status: https://egov.immigration.gov/cris/caseStatusSearchDisplay.do
Medicals: http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-693.htm
Tips on Filing: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/us...nnel=fe529c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD
I-485: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/us...nnel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD
ADVANCE PAROLE FORM I-131: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/us...nnel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD
EAD FORM I-765: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/us...nnel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD
AOS GUIDE TO OFFICERS: See attachments below.
FBI Namecheck: See attachments below.
DV Forums: www.immigrationportal.com and http://www.clalar.dk/dv-lottery/
KCC:
Kentucky Consular Center
3505 N Hwy 25-W
Williamsburg, KY 40769
Phone: (606) 526 7500
Fax: (606) 526 7501
E-mail: KCCDV@state.gov
www.travel.state.gov
______________________________________________
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE AND ENJOY THE JOURNEY!
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