DV 2014 AOS Only

[plasmicshree]

OPT is based on your F1 status, which is not a dual intent visa. By filing 1-485, you've declared an immigrant intent, you therefore cannot go back and request for an OPT extension. You should have file for an EAD card which would have enabled you to keep working following the expiration of your current OPT, assuming your I-485 is not yet adjudicated in May. If your OPT expires and you're yet to be interviewed, you will need to stop working.

So, there are two EADs, OPT EAD and i485 EAD, right ? Can I file for the EAD card now based on my pending i-485?
Also, lets say my OPT expired but my case in not adjudicated, then do I become out of status ???

 

[b6501119]

You can postpone through contacting the embassy (because once you hear of the date the papers have prettty much gone to the embassy already). Some embassies a reluctant to reschedule appointments and of course you are delaying your process which is risky in a year where visas will run out - but that is your call. Only do it if really necessary.

Yes, you can contact the embassy to reschedule. But be aware that the closer to the end of the FY a previously scheduled DV interview is, the harder it is to reschedule such before the FY comes to an end.

Thanks for suggestions. Nevertheless, AS cut-off numbers increases so slowly this fiscal year, maybe I won't even see my number (AS 87XX) become current until September

 

[Sm1smom]

The IL says if Highschool certificate is foreign it needs to be certified by a body like WES (World Education Services), has anyone done that before ? Is it mandatory ?

Are you saying your IL says your foreign HS Diploma MUST "be certified by a body like WES" or it contains a general statement more like - diplomas issued in foreign languages are required to be certified/translated?

I know USCIS require all documents issued in a foreign language to be translated; the person doing the translation has to certify that he/she is competent in both English and the foreign language being translated from, and that the translation is complete and accurate. I've never hear of a requirement for the HS Diploma to be certified by a professional organization such as WES.

 

[MaDiCa]

Hello to all!

I'm about to send in my I-485 package on February 1st and have a few questions in regards to the Medical Examination.

1. Does the TB skin test have to be done by the CS? I had ALL tests and immunizations taken care of by my school's hospital in October, last year, and have the records that obviously attest to that. My understanding is that all I'll need from the CS is a physical and the I-693 filled out in accordance with my records.

If the above is correct, then why am I getting snarls and growls from some Civil Surgeons as if I did the wrong thing by avoiding the full hit of their $400 charge when I went through my school's insurance? One CS has been trying to 'outdate' my records that are a mere 3 months old.

Any suggestions or more insight would be most appreciated!

Hi,
The CS in my area told me that I can have all immunizations and tests done by my primary provider. After I had all results (including TB skin test) I went back to the CS and she just filled in the info and signed. Paid $250.

 

[pkrish]

It reads exactly "High school diploma and / or college degree and official transcripts (if foreign, must be accompany by official evaluation / certification- i.e… World Education Service (WES)) (or if no high school diploma must submit proof of qualifying training/work experience)

Are you saying your IL says your foreign HS Diploma MUST "be certified by a body like WES" or it contains a general statement more like - diplomas issued in foreign languages are required to be certified/translated?

I know USCIS require all documents issued in a foreign language to be translated; the person doing the translation has to certify that he/she is competent in both English and the foreign language being translated from, and that the translation is complete and accurate. I've never hear of a requirement for the HS Diploma to be certified by a professional organization such as WES.

 

[suraj chapagain]

which area you live? The CS in my area said 200 dollars for only physical and we have only one option in my area.

Hi,
The CS in my area told me that I can have all immunizations and tests done by my primary provider. After I had all results (including TB skin test) I went back to the CS and she just filled in the info and signed. Paid $250.

 

[Sm1smom]

Hi
I would like to confirm those forms (I-485...) should be signed in black. The notary i went to asked me to use blue and she said signatures should be in blue ink. So I'm easily worried... What do you guys suggest?

Thanks

Looks like the notary has no idea what he/she was saying. USCIS's website says use "Black ink" if hand-filling the forms, and my guess is the same will apply to the signature portion of the forms. If the signature section is the only part you used blue ink for, fingers crossed, your forms wouldn't be returned.

But why did you need a notary for those forms though?

 

[Sm1smom]

It reads exactly "High school diploma and / or college degree and official transcripts (if foreign, must be accompany by official evaluation / certification- i.e… World Education Service (WES)) (or if no high school diploma must submit proof of qualifying training/work experience)

I see.I guess that may be the way your FO handles DV cases, and you should begin the process of getting your Diploma certified (if you haven't already), unless you want to go the job experience route. You should consider putting your info on the DV timelines spreadsheet, others using your FO could benefit from this information in the future.

 

[Fiefia]

Sm1smom,

It is not usual, is it? Or should I be worried about getting my diploma certified too?

I see.I guess that may be the way your FO handles DV cases, and you should begin the process of getting your Diploma certified (if you haven't already), unless you want to go the job experience route. You should consider putting your info on the DV timelines spreadsheet, others using your FO could benefit from this information in the future.

 

[pkrish]

If I go the work experience route, do I need originals. I have letter of service which was scanned and mailed by my previous company HR in South Africa. I do have originals of documents like termination contract, company benefits statement which prove my length of service.

I see.I guess that may be the way your FO handles DV cases, and you should begin the process of getting your Diploma certified (if you haven't already), unless you want to go the job experience route. You should consider putting your info on the DV timelines spreadsheet, others using your FO could benefit from this information in the future.

 

[SusieQQQ]

If I go the work experience route, do I need originals. I have letter of service which was scanned and mailed by my previous company HR in South Africa. I do have originals of documents like termination contract, company benefits statement which prove my length of service.

General advice is that going the work experience route is tricky and it's much easier to use education to qualify if you have that option.

 

[saleh5512640]

HI everyone
can someone answer my question please????? Here is my story.....came to the u.s.a Aug-2001. On work visa.same year got married and adjusted my status to green card.yet nor interview back then it used to take up to 3 years for interview.throughout this three years between 2001 till the end till 2003 the problems that i am aware of.i was very stupid and reckless.
1) arrested for prostitution charge (misdemeanor) in fort worth texas ..charge dismissed
2) arrested for driving for a suspended driver license for not paying traffic tickets they suspend my license without me knowing so. Conviction (misdemeanor)
3) arrested sold beer to a minor i was working at a gas station at the time (misdemeanor) dismissed
4) arrested for grand theft in (louisiana) 10 count misdemeanor convicted outcome was serve 6 months in jail for each count that's a total of 60 months in jail sentence or pay a fine ..i paid 5000 dollar fine and the sentence was suspended.this last charge is unique the one who file the charges against me is someone i knew so he came to court and drop the charges and he got his money back but the state still charged me???
Now on the last charge the theft while i was still in jail immigration placed me on hold till the case is over so they can deport me " removal proceeding"
i was in detention center in dallas for over 2 months immigration court has been set so that they can make a decision to deport me.my attorney presented to immigration judge all arrest records since i got to the u.s.a ....with a miracle from god the judge approved my case for permanent resident " green card"even though he knew all my arrests.
Now my question is ??????
Since my last offence in december 2003 till today's date i have been clean. And staying out of trouble except of minor traffic violations like expired registration sticker and tinted windows and expired inspection sticker i got i think a total of 5 or six tickets since 2003 and i listed them all on my n400 application .what are the odds of my application would it be approved since i have been out of trouble for the last 10 years or will they take my gc away and deport me???or will they denied my application??? They already send me appointment letter on 09-05-2013 and followed up by cancellation of that appointment i don't know why maybe because of my past criminal record..now i am so scared and waiting for another letter for my N-400 interview. .help please maybe someone here have a problem like my problem?????also i spoke with my attorney today and he advise maybe we should withdraw my N-400....thanks in advance

 

[Britsimon]

HI everyone
can someone answer my question please????? Here is my story.....came to the u.s.a Aug-2001. On work visa.same year got married and adjusted my status to green card.yet nor interview back then it used to take up to 3 years for interview.throughout this three years between 2001 till the end till 2003 the problems that i am aware of.i was very stupid and reckless.
1) arrested for prostitution charge (misdemeanor) in fort worth texas ..charge dismissed
2) arrested for driving for a suspended driver license for not paying traffic tickets they suspend my license without me knowing so. Conviction (misdemeanor)
3) arrested sold beer to a minor i was working at a gas station at the time (misdemeanor) dismissed
4) arrested for grand theft in (louisiana) 10 count misdemeanor convicted outcome was serve 6 months in jail for each count that's a total of 60 months in jail sentence or pay a fine ..i paid 5000 dollar fine and the sentence was suspended.this last charge is unique the one who file the charges against me is someone i knew so he came to court and drop the charges and he got his money back but the state still charged me???
Now on the last charge the theft while i was still in jail immigration placed me on hold till the case is over so they can deport me " removal proceeding"
i was in detention center in dallas for over 2 months immigration court has been set so that they can make a decision to deport me.my attorney presented to immigration judge all arrest records since i got to the u.s.a ....with a miracle from god the judge approved my case for permanent resident " green card"even though he knew all my arrests.
Now my question is ??????
Since my last offence in december 2003 till today's date i have been clean. And staying out of trouble except of minor traffic violations like expired registration sticker and tinted windows and expired inspection sticker i got i think a total of 5 or six tickets since 2003 and i listed them all on my n400 application .what are the odds of my application would it be approved since i have been out of trouble for the last 10 years or will they take my gc away and deport me???or will they denied my application??? They already send me appointment letter on 09-05-2013 and followed up by cancellation of that appointment i don't know why maybe because of my past criminal record..now i am so scared and waiting for another letter for my N-400 interview. .help please maybe someone here have a problem like my problem?????also i spoke with my attorney today and he advise maybe we should withdraw my N-400....thanks in advance

This subforum is for winners of the Green Card lottery - so I am not sure anyone here ca advise you well. Realistically your case needs better action and advice that you will get on an internet forum. You have an attorney - you probably need to trust the advice you are paying for.

Well done for getting clean. Your life to this point sounds like a soap opera. A bit of free advice, take care of small stuff like the traffic violations - really you could do without the drama in your life. Best of luck!

 

[Sm1smom]

If I go the work experience route, do I need originals. I have letter of service which was scanned and mailed by my previous company HR in South Africa. I do have originals of documents like termination contract, company benefits statement which prove my length of service.

Is your HS Diploma orignally issued in English or a foreing language? If it's not in English, and if I was in your shoes, I would just do the standard translation accompanied with a certified document attesting to the authenticity of the document.

What is your current visa status? Are you on a working visa or F status? The reason I'm asking is becuase if you're working, I honestly don't see USCIS making a big deal if you decide to go the work experience route, like they would for someone doing CP. If you have a very good printer, (with some printers, one cannot be able to tell the difference between a copy and an original) and the original document from your previous employer was properly scanned, I don't see any reason why you shouldn't be able to use the copy if you decide to go the work experience route.

On the other hand, for your own peace of mind, you can still go ahead and get the Diploma certified and it doesn't necessarily have to be done by WES (I've dealt with them in the past, and I know they can be a pain to deal with). Here's a link to another organization that can certify your HS Diploma for $85:


http://www.foreigncredits.com/Credential-Evaluation/PriceList.aspx

Having said all these though, I honestly don't see them making a big deal about the Diploma if it's in English, but again, one can't be 100% certain with these people.

 

[Sm1smom]

Sm1smom,

It is not usual, is it? Or should I be worried about getting my diploma certified too?

Yeah, it's a bit unusual. I wouldn't worry about it if I were you, not unless my FO is the same as Pkrish's.

For immigration purpose, USCIS in the past did insist on documents from foreign countries being certified. But for DV based AOS, to the best of my knowledge they've always been satisfied with certified translated copies if the original was issued in a foreign language, and the translation need not have been done by a professional organization per se.

 

[Sm1smom]

So, there are two EADs, OPT EAD and i485 EAD, right ? Can I file for the EAD card now based on my pending i-485?
Also, lets say my OPT expired but my case in not adjudicated, then do I become out of status ???

There are different eligibility categories for an EAD card - EAD cards are issued by USCIS based on different status, and each one may have different conditions tied to it. You will not become out of status if your OPT expires while your AOS application is yet to be adjudicated. You will be in a 'pending status', but you can no longer work with your OPT EAD card anymore at that stage. Yes, you can still file for the I-485 based EAD card - you will need to include the acceptance notice/receipt for the I-485 package that you received from USCIS if you decide to file for the EAD card now.

 

[llbk32]

Not sure if its an issue but just wanted to make sure. I sent my U-485 and I-765. The cheque was cashed Saturday night and I got 2 emails and 2 messages Sunday mid night for Receit notice I-797. The Receit Number MSC************** is different in both emails. Was 2 emails expected or was it something to that can be ignored or something else.

Thanks

 

[MaDiCa]

which area you live? The CS in my area said 200 dollars for only physical and we have only one option in my area.

I live in Pennsylvania. I checked at two CS offices and at both places I was told that I can have my missing immunizations and tests done by my primary physician.

 

[MaDiCa]

Not sure if its an issue but just wanted to make sure. I sent my U-485 and I-765. The cheque was cashed Saturday night and I got 2 emails and 2 messages Sunday mid night for Receit notice I-797. The Receit Number MSC************** is different in both emails. Was 2 emails expected or was it something to that can be ignored or something else.

Thanks

Hi llbk32,
You should have two receipt numbers, one for I485 and one I765. Probably that's why you got 2 emails.

 

[Fiefia]

That's what I thought too until I saw Pkrish's message. But, as always, you calmed me down So I guess it really does depend on the FO.

Thank you!

Yeah, it's a bit unusual. I wouldn't worry about it if I were you, not unless my FO is the same as Pkrish's.

For immigration purpose, USCIS in the past did insist on documents from foreign countries being certified. But for DV based AOS, to the best of my knowledge they've always been satisfied with certified translated copies if the original was issued in a foreign language, and the translation need not have been done by a professional organization per se.