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DV 2025 AOS (Adjustment of Status) Process Only

Hi all,

I’m an F-1 student. My case number is current, and I’m considering filing for AOS. I plan to graduate in December 2025 and apply for OPT in October. I’m currently doing a summer internship in another state and will return to school in August.

I haven’t paid the DV fee or sent my AOS package yet. I want to move quickly but am unsure if it’s worth the risk. I’d appreciate any advice on the questions below:

1. Visa exhaustion risk - I’ve been reviewing AOS timelines spreadsheets and data from dvcharts.xarthisius.xyz. In 2023, many applicants who filed in June or later were denied due to visa exhaustion that was announced in early September. Based on data from dvcharts.xarthisius.xyz, it looks like the number of DVs issued by April 2025 is slightly higher than April 2023, which worries me. If I start now, is it likely I’ll run out of time?
2. OPT and future visa impact - If I file AOS and don’t get approved before September 30, how risky is that for my OPT application in October? Also, have there been cases where denied AOS led to reentry issues under F-1/OPT or future visa denials?
3. Form I-693 and financials - I’ve done a few internships and mostly support myself, with some tuition help from family abroad. I have pay slips, bank statements, and tax returns. Should I still submit Form I-693 just in case considering that I’m a student?

Thanks in advance for any guidance. I know this is a rare opportunity, but I’m worried about the consequences if it doesn’t go through in time. I only wanna go forward if there is a strong possibility of getting the case approved.
 
student02 said:
Hello! i am confused on how to fill out part 4 of the form I-485 - Employment and Education History.

Looking at the Arya Stark sample I-485 below:

1) If I'm filling out info about employment, is the first box (school or employer) and the 2nd box (Name of the employer) supposed to be filled out as:

a) just write - "employer" (1ST box) ---- "abc business name"(2ND box)
or
b) 'abc business name"(1st box) ---- "abc business name" again (2nd box)

In my case, I was employed by a company, so there is no specific subdivision as in the sample below.

Please let me know any other correct way to fill it out, thank you

View attachment 6548
Click to expand...
Either way (from your example) is okay.
 
enaykey said:
Hi @Sm1smom,

I live in Texas and I'll send my AOS package to Dallas. When I check the FO on USCIS website with my zip code, it shows Oklahoma. Does it mean that, after the Dallas Lockbox processes my AOS package, they'll send it to Oklahoma (or Oklahoma FO will take my case after that point)?
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The Lockbox receives and process your package, then sends it over to the NBC, the NBC schedules your bio appointment and sends the AOS application itself (form I-485) with supporting documents to the applicable FO. If an I-765 and/or I-131 are/is included with the AOS package, the NBC will retain and process those. This is all explained in one of the tabs of the AOS process spreadsheet.
 
jerryg said:
Hi all,

I’m an F-1 student. My case number is current, and I’m considering filing for AOS. I plan to graduate in December 2025 and apply for OPT in October. I’m currently doing a summer internship in another state and will return to school in August.

I haven’t paid the DV fee or sent my AOS package yet. I want to move quickly but am unsure if it’s worth the risk. I’d appreciate any advice on the questions below:

1. Visa exhaustion risk - I’ve been reviewing AOS timelines spreadsheets and data from dvcharts.xarthisius.xyz. In 2023, many applicants who filed in June or later were denied due to visa exhaustion that was announced in early September. Based on data from dvcharts.xarthisius.xyz, it looks like the number of DVs issued by April 2025 is slightly higher than April 2023, which worries me. If I start now, is it likely I’ll run out of time?
2. OPT and future visa impact - If I file AOS and don’t get approved before September 30, how risky is that for my OPT application in October? Also, have there been cases where denied AOS led to reentry issues under F-1/OPT or future visa denials?
3. Form I-693 and financials - I’ve done a few internships and mostly support myself, with some tuition help from family abroad. I have pay slips, bank statements, and tax returns. Should I still submit Form I-693 just in case considering that I’m a student?

Thanks in advance for any guidance. I know this is a rare opportunity, but I’m worried about the consequences if it doesn’t go through in time. I only wanna go forward if there is a strong possibility of getting the case approved.
Click to expand...
1. I don’t review issued visa numbers or analyze visa progression, so I can’t speak to your interpretation or analysis of what you’re seeing.

2. AFAIK, AOS denial does not and has not negatively impacted future OPT approval. I cannot tell you of specific cases where denied AOS led to re-entry issues or future visa denial considering folks in such situations more often than not do not bother to return and update the forum. (A case in point is yourself as you never bothered to return and inform the forum, as asked, of the outcome of your consultations with legal counsel which you said your family asked you to seek). However I do know a demonstrated immigrant intent can impact future NIV application if the visa applicant cannot successfully demonstrate they no longer abhor an immigrant intent.

3. Form I-693 is the medical form which all AOS applicants are required to submit, it has nothing to do with one’s financial situation. So I’m guessing you mean an I-134, which is advisable for you to submit with your AOS package in this case.
 
Sm1smom said:
The Lockbox receives and process your package, then sends it over to the NBC, the NBC schedules your bio appointment and sends the AOS application itself (form I-485) with supporting documents to the applicable FO. If an I-765 and/or I-131 are/is included with the AOS package, the NBC will retain and process those. This is all explained in one of the tabs of the AOS process spreadsheet.
Click to expand...
Thanks for explaining the process again, but I was actually asking if it will eventually end up being in Oklahoma FO for the final decision because when I check my zip code, the USCIS system shows Oklahoma FO.
 
Sm1smom said:
1. I don’t review issued visa numbers or analyze visa progression, so I can’t speak to your interpretation or analysis of what you’re seeing.

2. AFAIK, AOS denial does not and has not negatively impacted future OPT approval. I cannot tell you of specific cases where denied AOS led to re-entry issues or future visa denial considering folks in such situations more often than not do not bother to return and update the forum. (A case in point is yourself as you never bothered to return and inform the forum, as asked, of the outcome of your consultations with legal counsel which you said your family asked you to seek). However I do know a demonstrated immigrant intent can impact future NIV application if the visa applicant cannot successfully demonstrate they no longer abhor an immigrant intent.

3. Form I-693 is the medical form which all AOS applicants are required to submit, it has nothing to do with one’s financial situation. So I’m guessing you mean an I-134, which is advisable for you to submit with your AOS package in this case.
Click to expand...
Hi, thanks for the response!

Just to clarify - I "never bothered to return and inform the forum" because I haven’t actually consulted with legal counsel, so there was nothing new to share.

And yes, I did mean Form I-134, thanks for catching that.
 
Hi everyone,

My case number is EU21XXX, and I just received both my DV fee receipt and 2NL two days ago. I’m preparing to submit my AOS package soon, but had a few questions I was hoping to clarify:
  1. DV Fee Receipt: I received my DV fee receipt as a scanned copy via email from KCC (I suspect my SASE might have had an issue). Will that be a problem later on, especially if/when I attend an interview?
  2. Tax Transcripts: The IRS hasn’t processed my 2024 tax return yet, so I don’t have the transcript. I do have the 2023 transcript, and I plan to include my 1040NR and W-2 for 2024 as a substitute. Is that acceptable? Should I include any kind of explanation? If yes, should I do that in the cover letter or somewhere else?
  3. Public Charge / Financial Support: I don’t have anyone to file an I-134 for me. Instead, I’m including detailed documentation of my full-ride scholarship (past two years + next year), and a well-paying internship offer for next summer. Would you recommend doing that or not? (I thought my internship offer would be relevant under "totality of circumstances" but am not sure if this would be the right course of action.)
Thanks so much for your help! I’ll keep you all updated on my progress.
 
Also, I just realized that the printer put down "8" instead of an "X" on places where there is supposed to be a checkmark on I-485. I think it is probably because of the PDF editing software that I used. I assume I will need to fix this and re-print the form?
 
enaykey said:
Thanks for explaining the process again, but I was actually asking if it will eventually end up being in Oklahoma FO for the final decision because when I check my zip code, the USCIS system shows Oklahoma FO.
Click to expand...
And that is precisely what I answered. The case will end with whichever FO has jurisdiction over your zip code. If your zip code falls under the Oklahoma FO, then that is where the NBC will forward it to, and that is the FO that will process and adjudicate the case.
 
jerryg said:
Hi, thanks for the response!

Just to clarify - I "never bothered to return and inform the forum" because I haven’t actually consulted with legal counsel, so there was nothing new to share.

And yes, I did mean Form I-134, thanks for catching that.
Click to expand...
Well, part of returning to inform the forum since Nov. 2024 would have included the fact that you haven’t actually consulted with a legal counsel after all. That is something to share.
 
benjaminfranklin said:
Hi everyone,

My case number is EU21XXX, and I just received both my DV fee receipt and 2NL two days ago. I’m preparing to submit my AOS package soon, but had a few questions I was hoping to clarify:
  1. DV Fee Receipt: I received my DV fee receipt as a scanned copy via email from KCC (I suspect my SASE might have had an issue). Will that be a problem later on, especially if/when I attend an interview?
  2. Tax Transcripts: The IRS hasn’t processed my 2024 tax return yet, so I don’t have the transcript. I do have the 2023 transcript, and I plan to include my 1040NR and W-2 for 2024 as a substitute. Is that acceptable? Should I include any kind of explanation? If yes, should I do that in the cover letter or somewhere else?
  3. Public Charge / Financial Support: I don’t have anyone to file an I-134 for me. Instead, I’m including detailed documentation of my full-ride scholarship (past two years + next year), and a well-paying internship offer for next summer. Would you recommend doing that or not? (I thought my internship offer would be relevant under "totality of circumstances" but am not sure if this would be the right course of action.)
Thanks so much for your help! I’ll keep you all updated on my progress.
Click to expand...
1. That will not be an issue.
2. Send in what you have. No need for further explanation IMO.
3. No, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend that, but do what you feel is best for your case.
 
benjaminfranklin said:
Also, I just realized that the printer put down "8" instead of an "X" on places where there is supposed to be a checkmark on I-485. I think it is probably because of the PDF editing software that I used. I assume I will need to fix this and re-print the form?
Click to expand...
I recommend you reprint the form as it should be.
 
Hi - in your AOS package tab alongside current I94 you mention previous visas and I94’s. My previous NIV was from 2006 to 2008, can you advise if you think I also need to include a copy of this NIV also?
 
Is it possible to pay the $1440 AOS fee with a cashier's check?

The AOS Process and Documents file mentions only credit card, personal check, or money order. This USCIS page (under "How to Pay USCIS Filing Fees" section) mentions cashier's check: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees. However, the same section has a link to "News" which brings you to this page: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees/uscis-updates-fee-payment-system-used-in-field-offices. At the bottom of this page, it says the FOs will only accept a set of payment methods which doesn't include cashier's check.

Has anyone had any issues paying with a cashier's check? It feels like the most secure and guaranteed payment to me, but the conflicting web pages of the USCIS and the fact that 2025 timeline document no longer has a payment type column confused me a little bit.
 
Stoic Turk said:
Is it possible to pay the $1440 AOS fee with a cashier's check?

The AOS Process and Documents file mentions only credit card, personal check, or money order. This USCIS page (under "How to Pay USCIS Filing Fees" section) mentions cashier's check: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees. However, the same section has a link to "News" which brings you to this page: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees/uscis-updates-fee-payment-system-used-in-field-offices. At the bottom of this page, it says the FOs will only accept a set of payment methods which doesn't include cashier's check.

Has anyone had any issues paying with a cashier's check? It feels like the most secure and guaranteed payment to me, but the conflicting web pages of the USCIS and the fact that 2025 timeline document no longer has a payment type column confused me a little bit.
Click to expand...
The AOS Process and Documents file mentions only personal check, or money order as "recommended options" because they are easier to track for processing, and of course credit card. Not that those are the only acceptable options.

As you've seen for yourself, USCIS's website https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees indicates you may pay fees with bank drafts, cashier’s checks, certified checks, personal or business checks, and money orders.

USCIS has no conflicting instructions on their web pages. This page https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees/uscis-updates-fee-payment-system-used-in-field-offices is about the fee payment systems used at the FOs for applicants making payments in person at the FO. You are not making your payment in person at your FO, your package is being sent to a Lockbox where the payment will be processed.
 
I'm aware the 60/90 day rule is non-binding on USCIS. I came back from international travel a week ago, and since time is running out, I want to submit the AOS package as soon as possible. Have there been previous cases where applicants faced issues after applying soon after entering the country? Particularly F-1 students. Thanks!
 
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