DV 2010 AOS Only

[capeolive]

Hi gdh,

Congratulations on your successful interview.

When we apply for AOS one of the things NBC does is:

If record (A-File) does not exist they create A-File.
If record (A-File) already exists they create a T-file and requests A-File from holding office.

They do this before they send the cases to Field Offices.

I think "holding" offices like to hold files.

The existing A-Files are requested by NBC long before they transfer
the cases to field offices for interview.

How long does it take to send a file from Texas to Philadelphia?

Yesterday I received two emails, one for me and one for my wife, stating that they ordered card production for our EAD cards.

And today, we had our interview. First, I apologize for the long post, there's a short version on the bottom in case you're not interested in or don't have time for the details.

Detailed Version

My wife and I had the appointment in the Orlando, FL office at 7:30AM. We arrived there at around 6:50AM and the office was closed. Due to a bathroom emergency we had to visit a Walgreens close by and by the time we got back, the office was open and there was a big line to get through security. We had to take off our shoes, belts, etc. It would have been nice if they had carpet. Anyways, we got through security at about 7:40. We were told to submit our appointment letters to window 9. There they told us to sit down and they'll call us. As we sat down, the lady came out and called our names.

She was very nice and pleasant. She led us into her office and we sat down. She asked for our passports, IDs and the EAD cards. We told her we don't have the new EAD cards yet so I gave her the old one from OPT. She checked the documents and then we took the oath. Then she started to go through my file first. She checked my name, address, etc, asked me all the questions in I-485. She also matched the passports to the copy we submitted with the application. Then she asked me if I ever applied to permanent residency before. I told her about the EB-3 case and she was surprised. Once she was done with my file, she repeated the same process with my wife.

She asked me if someone helped me prepare the files because it was very well organized. Big thanks to you guys! So I told her that I got help from an online forum.

She said that everything looks fine and this is a very simple case, however, because of the other application, she will have to order my files from the National Center. She said it usually takes one to two weeks to order a file and then I should expect my green card in another two weeks. I asked her if I'll get any notification when the files arrive and she said no. I told her that I know someone who's been waiting for the files to be transferred for over a month. She was very nice, she said that she'll hold on to my current file and when the old files arrive, she'll give me a call (she took down my cell number). She also gave me her name and told me that if I don't hear back in two months, I should write her a letter or get an info pass.

After the interview she told us that in five years we can apply for citizenship and we talked a little bit about that. Then she walked us out and we left. All in all it was a successful interview but unfortunately, I too have to wait for my old files to be transferred.

Short Version

The interview was really smooth with a very pleasant IO but she couldn't approve our case until she orders my EB-3 case file. It looks like I'm joining i2009.

 

[gdh]

Hi gdh,
Congratulations on your successful interview.
When we apply for AOS one of the things NBC does is:
If record (A-File) does not exist they create A-File.
If record (A-File) already exists they create a T-file and requests A-File from holding office.
They do this before they send the cases to Field Offices.
I think "holding" offices like to hold files.
The existing A-Files are requested by NBC long before they transfer
the cases to field offices for interview.
How long does it take to send a file from Texas to Philadelphia?

I'm not sure capeolive. You would think they take care of these things before the interview but like I said, she was surprised that I have another case. That means she didn't even know, hence she couldn't have ordered it. I'm not sure if these cases are matched by anything, maybe social security number?

 

[Ahad]

i2009, gdh, fitness901, middle.com and everyone else, thank you very much for your good wishes and support. I am trying to be ready and stay positive.

Middle.com, congratulations man! You did it!!! I am very happy for you!!!
Gdh, from what I understood your interview went very well. I am sure you won’t wait too long! Thank you for sharing your interview experiences!
Shasha, congratulations!!! Thank you for sharing your experience!
Capeolive, thank you for your support my friend. I pray and morally support your case too. I hope your journey will also be very smooth one with a happy ending.

Today I did the last thing I had to do: fill up my gas tank. My interview is at 7:30 in the morning. So I gotta go and get some sleep, because we will be going a long way.
I have to be at work all day, but I will share my interview as soon as the opportunity presents itself.

I kneel in front of God to stand equally with those who He created. I only trust in God and I hope He will show mercy to me.

 

[middle.com]

Hi middle.com,

Congratulations on receiving your green card.
I am happy for you that your journey is over.
I hope the card you got brings happiness to you.

Is the card green enough for you?

Thank youeverybody for your support!!!

Capeolive, yeh, for me it's green enough)))

 

[middle.com]

Hey guys, here is the result of my interview yesterday:
I was there on time. She came in and introduced herself to me as well as I did. we went to her office. She had all my previously submitted documents handy in front of her and she asked me random questions from those forms, such as what is your dad's name, birth date, etc. She also asked me questions about Part 3 of I-485 - violence, crime, kidnapping - which I answered NO to these questions. She asked do I want to stay and work in the U.S. and I said YES. She asked for my original Birth Certificate which I had it ready. At the end she asked me if I have any supporting documents to go with my case and I pulled out my letter of Affidavit of Employee from my manager and my Official Transcripts that I am a student. She looked at them and said "I think I have everything that I need and I am gonna go ahead and give you your Green Card and you should receive it in about two weeks" !!!!!!!!!! I thanked her very much and asked her couple questions about the Green Card and came home very happyyyyyyyyyyy....By the way I am doing it at the State of Montana and the lady was very nice and friendly during the interview...I hope you guys gonna get yours too...Good luck guys...

That' s good news!!!! My congratulations!!!! Soon you'll get your welcome notice and then your GC) Good luck. You are almost done!!!!

 

[middle.com]

Hi guys,

Update on my case. I emailed and called KCC.
On the phone they told me that the letter they sent me was just
a letter they sent automatically (but it was something they filled
out by hand, my number etc.) and not to worry about anything.
I said thank you and hung up.
Before even making the call I decided to FedEx them a letter of
"Request of Transfer of Diversity Visa Case to USCIS Philadelphia Field Office"
I sent my letter via FedEx, they will receive it tomorrow.
It seems like they have no reason not to transfer the file as of tomorrow...

I congratulate again the people who got their cards.
And the fellow applicants who are still in the process
each and and every one of you you have my best wishes...

As usually they send letters without checking what they send!!!))) They just made you worry about that!!! But it's good that you found out everything!!!

 

[middle.com]

Yesterday I received two emails, one for me and one for my wife, stating that they ordered card production for our EAD cards.

And today, we had our interview. First, I apologize for the long post, there's a short version on the bottom in case you're not interested in or don't have time for the details.

Detailed Version

My wife and I had the appointment in the Orlando, FL office at 7:30AM. We arrived there at around 6:50AM and the office was closed. Due to a bathroom emergency we had to visit a Walgreens close by and by the time we got back, the office was open and there was a big line to get through security. We had to take off our shoes, belts, etc. It would have been nice if they had carpet. Anyways, we got through security at about 7:40. We were told to submit our appointment letters to window 9. There they told us to sit down and they'll call us. As we sat down, the lady came out and called our names.

She was very nice and pleasant. She led us into her office and we sat down. She asked for our passports, IDs and the EAD cards. We told her we don't have the new EAD cards yet so I gave her the old one from OPT. She checked the documents and then we took the oath. Then she started to go through my file first. She checked my name, address, etc, asked me all the questions in I-485. She also matched the passports to the copy we submitted with the application. Then she asked me if I ever applied to permanent residency before. I told her about the EB-3 case and she was surprised. Once she was done with my file, she repeated the same process with my wife.

She asked me if someone helped me prepare the files because it was very well organized. Big thanks to you guys! So I told her that I got help from an online forum.

She said that everything looks fine and this is a very simple case, however, because of the other application, she will have to order my files from the National Center. She said it usually takes one to two weeks to order a file and then I should expect my green card in another two weeks. I asked her if I'll get any notification when the files arrive and she said no. I told her that I know someone who's been waiting for the files to be transferred for over a month. She was very nice, she said that she'll hold on to my current file and when the old files arrive, she'll give me a call (she took down my cell number). She also gave me her name and told me that if I don't hear back in two months, I should write her a letter or get an info pass.

After the interview she told us that in five years we can apply for citizenship and we talked a little bit about that. Then she walked us out and we left. All in all it was a successful interview but unfortunately, I too have to wait for my old files to be transferred.

Short Version

The interview was really smooth with a very pleasant IO but she couldn't approve our case until she orders my EB-3 case file. It looks like I'm joining i2009.

My Congratulations!!! That's was really nice interview!!! Yes, now in the same situation as i2009! But I think now everything is time! The main thing that you, guys, had your successfull interviewsand all you need now is to wait for your old file EB. Guys, know we all with you and wait for good news from you!!!
Good luck!!!!

 

[bentlebee]

Yesterday I received two emails, one for me and one for my wife, stating that they ordered card production for our EAD cards.

And today, we had our interview. First, I apologize for the long post, there's a short version on the bottom in case you're not interested in or don't have time for the details.

Detailed Version

My wife and I had the appointment in the Orlando, FL office at 7:30AM. We arrived there at around 6:50AM and the office was closed. Due to a bathroom emergency we had to visit a Walgreens close by and by the time we got back, the office was open and there was a big line to get through security. We had to take off our shoes, belts, etc. It would have been nice if they had carpet. Anyways, we got through security at about 7:40. We were told to submit our appointment letters to window 9. There they told us to sit down and they'll call us. As we sat down, the lady came out and called our names.

She was very nice and pleasant. She led us into her office and we sat down. She asked for our passports, IDs and the EAD cards. We told her we don't have the new EAD cards yet so I gave her the old one from OPT. She checked the documents and then we took the oath. Then she started to go through my file first. She checked my name, address, etc, asked me all the questions in I-485. She also matched the passports to the copy we submitted with the application. Then she asked me if I ever applied to permanent residency before. I told her about the EB-3 case and she was surprised. Once she was done with my file, she repeated the same process with my wife.

She asked me if someone helped me prepare the files because it was very well organized. Big thanks to you guys! So I told her that I got help from an online forum.

She said that everything looks fine and this is a very simple case, however, because of the other application, she will have to order my files from the National Center. She said it usually takes one to two weeks to order a file and then I should expect my green card in another two weeks. I asked her if I'll get any notification when the files arrive and she said no. I told her that I know someone who's been waiting for the files to be transferred for over a month. She was very nice, she said that she'll hold on to my current file and when the old files arrive, she'll give me a call (she took down my cell number). She also gave me her name and told me that if I don't hear back in two months, I should write her a letter or get an info pass.

After the interview she told us that in five years we can apply for citizenship and we talked a little bit about that. Then she walked us out and we left. All in all it was a successful interview but unfortunately, I too have to wait for my old files to be transferred.

Short Version

The interview was really smooth with a very pleasant IO but she couldn't approve our case until she orders my EB-3 case file. It looks like I'm joining i2009.

Congrats. I understand that waiting again isn't something what any one is looking forward too, but the positive side is that you got approved.

Mostly the time frame they give is longer then it is in reality. What I don't understand why Chicago is taking so long to get the cases to the USCIS field offices knowing these cases are DV lottery cases with a deadline...but at least you don't have to worry about that since it is just Aprilo 1st and you have plenty of time...but for a person with a high case # time might not be on their side and to inquire by doing infopass if your case has arrived could be a good thing to do.

My friend did infopass in the beginning of January and was told biometrics came back okay and her case had arrived at the field office and she could expect her interview date within 6 weeks and if she hadn't heard back in 90 days she needed to schedule another infopass...2 weeks later she received her interview date...but hearing that long time frame was shocking, although she knew and was told by the employee that she didn't have to worry about the time running out or visa's running out since in the last years not all visa's had been given out, according to him....

Good luck to any one having their interview coming up...so far the pecentage of succesful interviews seem to be very high and new NL can be expected any day for people who applied for 2011.

 

[i2009]

Hi guys,

Update on my case. I emailed and called KCC.
On the phone they told me that the letter they sent me was just
a letter they sent automatically (but it was something they filled
out by hand, my number etc.) and not to worry about anything.
I said thank you and hung up.
Before even making the call I decided to FedEx them a letter of
"Request of Transfer of Diversity Visa Case to USCIS Philadelphia Field Office"
I sent my letter via FedEx, they will receive it tomorrow.
It seems like they have no reason not to transfer the file as of tomorrow...

I congratulate again the people who got their cards.
And the fellow applicants who are still in the process
each and and every one of you you have my best wishes...

Thanks for the update capeolive, everything seems to be going perfect with your case. Do you know if your a-file has been transferred to Phila already?

You should be receiving your interview letter pretty soon.

Good luck!

 

[Ahad]

Hello everyone. Thank you for your support daima, i2009, capeolive, fittness, middle.com, gdh!
I just came back from the interview.

We arrived at the center about an hour before and waited outside until they opened. Then we went in and after waiting a bit one nice IO called our son's name and invited all of us together for the interview.
He was very nice and kind. He asked us to take an oath and asked standard questions and asked to present our original birth certificates, passports, dv letters, I94s, and marriage certificate.
After verifying all the documents, he said our case has been approved and we should expect to receive our green cards within a month or so. He gave us a number to call if we do not receive them in two months.
We thanked him a lot and then he escorted us out. That was it.
It was a very pleasant interview and the IO was extremely friendly and kind. We are very happy at the moment. All we have to do now is wait until we receive the cards to arrive.

 

[i2009]

Hello everyone. Thank you for your support daima, i2009, capeolive, fittness, middle.com, gdh!
I just came back from the interview.

We arrived at the center about an hour before and waited outside until they opened. Then we went in and after waiting a bit one nice IO called our son's name and invited all of us together for the interview.
He was very nice and kind. He asked us to take an oath and asked standard questions and asked to present our original birth certificates, passports, dv letters, I94s, and marriage certificate.
After verifying all the documents, he said our case has been approved and we should expect to receive our green cards within a month or so. He gave us a number to call if we do not receive them in two months.
We thanked him a lot and then he escorted us out. That was it.
It was a very pleasant interview and the IO was extremely friendly and kind. We are very happy at the moment. All we have to do now is wait until we receive the cards to arrive.

Wow Ahad, I am very very happy for you. I hope this GC gives you a little more peace of mind and happiness.

Congratulations to you and your family!!!!

 

[i2009]

...today, we had our interview...

Hello gdh and congratulations for your successful interview. I am pretty sure that your file will arrive soon to your field office, mine is a bad luck exception. There were so many cases like ours and they went smoothly. I don't know what held my case in Texas Service Center and I probably will never know.

I am keeping my fingers crossed for you; your file should arrive soon and you'll be over with this journey real soon.

Good luck!!!!!

 

[jlaw]

Hello All,

Just wanted to update you on my Status. I received a notification saying that the card has been ordered on March 25, 2010. I am ansiously waiting.

For those who have a case similar to mine with an employment based i485 pending, the officer requested that I withdraw the case and request all related A# files be sent to my local USCIS field office here in San Francisco. I sent a withdrawal letter on Feb 23, 2010, the day after my interview. Your immigration officer conducting your interview might or might not ask you to do this. Let me know if you need more explanation/clarification based on my experience.

Cheers!

Jlaw

4/17/09: NL from KCC 2010SA000004xx
5/13/09: Sent DSP122 (only) + barcode sheet to KCC
5/14/09: Sent $375 DV fee + form to DOS (in St. Louis)
6/04/09: DOS Receipt Received (for $375 DV fee)
6/15/09: Received 2nd letter from DOS
8/03/09: Medical examination completed. (I-693 completed) Fee was $370
10/31/09: Sent AOS Package to Chicago Lock Box
11/02/09: AOS package received by USCIS
11/09/09: Check cashed by DOS
11/09/09: Biometrics completed
11/13/09: Received NOA for i485, i131, and i765
12/xx/09: Received EAD and Advance Parole
02/22/10: Completed interview, went well, but on hold due to my other pending i485 through employment based. So I sent withdrawal letter for employment based i485.
3/11/10: Employment based i485 withdrawal notification received.
3/25/10: Card production ordered. : )

 

[ewokra]

hi all. i just started to gather papers for interview. I know they didn't ask me to bring aff. of support. but, i am going to take one. do i need to take tax returns of the supporter with me. or just i-134 is ok. my supporter is working for someone else. bye the way if she doesn't have a copy of tax returns. how long is that going to get one. and i think April is tax month.

 

[i2009]

Hello gdh again, I am having a doubt with your case, I understand that you have never submitted the AOS application for your EB-3 case, did you?

If that's the case, there is not A-File to be transferred because you didn't get an A-Number when submitting your I-140. Am I wrong?

 

[i2009]

Hello All,

Just wanted to update you on my Status. I received a notification saying that the card has been ordered on March 25, 2010. I am ansiously waiting.

For those who have a case similar to mine with an employment based i485 pending, the officer requested that I withdraw the case and request all related A# files be sent to my local USCIS field office here in San Francisco. I sent a withdrawal letter on Feb 23, 2010, the day after my interview. Your immigration officer conducting your interview might or might not ask you to do this. Let me know if you need more explanation/clarification based on my experience.

Cheers!

Jlaw

4/17/09: NL from KCC 2010SA000004xx
5/13/09: Sent DSP122 (only) + barcode sheet to KCC
5/14/09: Sent $375 DV fee + form to DOS (in St. Louis)
6/04/09: DOS Receipt Received (for $375 DV fee)
6/15/09: Received 2nd letter from DOS
8/03/09: Medical examination completed. (I-693 completed) Fee was $370
10/31/09: Sent AOS Package to Chicago Lock Box
11/02/09: AOS package received by USCIS
11/09/09: Check cashed by DOS
11/09/09: Biometrics completed
11/13/09: Received NOA for i485, i131, and i765
12/xx/09: Received EAD and Advance Parole
02/22/10: Completed interview, went well, but on hold due to my other pending i485 through employment based. So I sent withdrawal letter for employment based i485.
3/11/10: Employment based i485 withdrawal notification received.
3/25/10: Card production ordered. : )

Congratulations jlaw, I am happy for you and I hope you receive your GC soon.

I definitely would appreciate any information that you can provide regarding your EB vs DV cases.

During the interview the officer said that he would cancel my EB case. I have read that sometimes the officers ask the applicants with dual AOS cases to sign a withdrawal letter, I asked the Officer about it and he said that everything was alright and that he would take care of my employment based case. He also mentioned that I did the right thing not withdrawing my EB case as my wife's status depends on it.

It's odd that there seems to be as many procedures as officers. Everyone tells you a different thing to do.

Thank you for sharing your experience

 

[jlaw]

Congratulations jlaw, I am happy for you and I hope you receive your GC soon.

I definitely would appreciate any information that you can provide regarding your EB vs DV cases.

During the interview the officer said that he would cancel my EB case. I have read that sometimes the officers ask the applicants with dual AOS cases to sign a withdrawal letter, I asked the Officer about it and he said that everything was alright and that he would take care of my employment based case. He also mentioned that I did the right thing not withdrawing my EB case as my wife's status depends on it.

It's odd that there seems to be as many procedures as officers. Everyone tells you a different thing to do.

Thank you for sharing your experience

Thanks i2009.

Yes, there is not a rigid procedure. It is up to the officer. You will receive your GC soon too. All the best.

JL

 

[Daima]

Hello everyone. Thank you for your support daima, i2009, capeolive, fittness, middle.com, gdh!
I just came back from the interview.

We arrived at the center about an hour before and waited outside until they opened. Then we went in and after waiting a bit one nice IO called our son's name and invited all of us together for the interview.
He was very nice and kind. He asked us to take an oath and asked standard questions and asked to present our original birth certificates, passports, dv letters, I94s, and marriage certificate.
After verifying all the documents, he said our case has been approved and we should expect to receive our green cards within a month or so. He gave us a number to call if we do not receive them in two months.
We thanked him a lot and then he escorted us out. That was it.
It was a very pleasant interview and the IO was extremely friendly and kind. We are very happy at the moment. All we have to do now is wait until we receive the cards to arrive.

awwww, I'm so happy for you! Congratulations!

 

[middle.com]

Hello everyone. Thank you for your support daima, i2009, capeolive, fittness, middle.com, gdh!
I just came back from the interview.

We arrived at the center about an hour before and waited outside until they opened. Then we went in and after waiting a bit one nice IO called our son's name and invited all of us together for the interview.
He was very nice and kind. He asked us to take an oath and asked standard questions and asked to present our original birth certificates, passports, dv letters, I94s, and marriage certificate.
After verifying all the documents, he said our case has been approved and we should expect to receive our green cards within a month or so. He gave us a number to call if we do not receive them in two months.
We thanked him a lot and then he escorted us out. That was it.
It was a very pleasant interview and the IO was extremely friendly and kind. We are very happy at the moment. All we have to do now is wait until we receive the cards to arrive.

That's awesome!!! I realy happy for you!!! Finally you did it. Now only need to do ia to wait for your welcome notice and your GCs!!! Good luck to you and your family!!!

 

[gdh]

Hello everyone. Thank you for your support daima, i2009, capeolive, fittness, middle.com, gdh!
I just came back from the interview.

Congratulations Ahad! That was probably the smoothest interview ever. Now you'll have plenty of time to think about whether or not to stay in the PhD program.

BTW, I have a Masters and I was thinking about going back for PhD. However, everybody told me that I only needed PhD for teaching. I'm still thinking about it but I have no intention to ever become a teacher. Anyways, obviously this is a personal decision you will have to make. You also have the option of working for a year and then finishing up your degree but bear it in mind that the longer you wait the harder it will be to go back. At least it was for me. I waited four years after my BS to go back for MS and the only reason I went back was to make my EB case go faster (which I don't need now).

Congratulations again and I'm sure you'll make the right decision about your future. It looks like you've made all the right decisions so far.