Dear AOS folks,
I'm happy to share further news ---- today I had my I485 AOS interview, and overall I can say it went great. My interview was at the Los Angeles USCIS field office in the morning. There was only one interviewing officer on duty (not sure if that is normal), so I had a wait just over an hour before being called. The interview was straight forward: take the oath, provide drivers license as ID, review of I-485 and confirm yes/no questions related to drugs/terrorism etc., they look at my masters diploma (not the transcript), and look at my I-20. They did not look at my passport, or original birth certificate, or the original DV letter stamped "PAID". I was not asked any questions about what I study, what school I go to, when do I graduate, etc. I had received an Advance Parole letter; they did not request this either.
I haven't mentioned here that I got married last year and my wife is an F-1 student also; we met at school some 4-5 years ago, and she did the AOS with me as a "derivative status" applicant. We were asked to show the marriage certificate. We had many other things to show regarding joint financial responsibility (bills, apartment lease, car insurance, bank accounts), but none of that was asked for! We also had a mini photo album of the wedding, and another of many photos over the years --- these were not requested either! The officer asked my wife what she does --- which school/program. The only document asked from my wife, was her ID!
Everything was over in about 10 mins! We were told to expect our "cards" in the mail within a few weeks! It was not much of a statement about the outcome/decision, and so my wife asked "Are our applications approved?" And we were told yes, they are approved!
Tonight, I received an SMS/email that my case status is updated on USCIS website, and when I check my I485 receipt number it says "Card/Document Production" (The status jumped directly to this from "Acceptance"). When I check my wife's I-485 receipt number it is still on "Acceptance" which I thought was a bit odd.
I have a couple of questions -- perhaps those with spouse who went through the process as derivative status applicant can help answer?
1. When the primary applicants status was updated to Card/Document Production, did the status for the derivative (spouse) applicant also update? Did it change at the same time, or later? I'm just wondering if I should be concerned about my wife's application.
2. The interviewing officer did not look at our passports, and did not take our I-94s. I've read that for other F-1 people the officer took the I-94 from your passport at the interview. Am I going to need to hand the I-94 in somewhere?
3. I also have an Advance Parole document, and the interview letter requests to bring it with me. I thought they might take this letter, but they didn't.
While things seem to have completed smoothly, I will be more relaxed when we both have our green cards! I will keep posting here with my news!
Cheers everyone, and best wishes to you on this journey.
ETL
Congrats ETL.
Your interview description is pretty much like mine.
1. In my case the online status has changed a few times between card production and acceptance in the same day, while my wife's and my son's was acceptance all time. The official acceptance letters came in 3-4 days after the interview. Mine came one day earlier than my wife's and son's. The letters say the actual GC's will follow within 30 (or 60 days) but they came 3 days latter.
2. The officer checked our passports and I94's but did not retain the I94's. I traveled overseas recently and I did not hand in my former I94. No one ever asked. I did not have an advanced parole document.
What a difference though when I came back. I was even welcomed.
Congrats again.
