DV 2017 AOS Only

[Sm1smom]

Hello,

I am currently on an E3R and filing for AOS in October and I am thinking of submitting form I-765 to get an EAD just in case something happens where I need a new job before the Green Card comes through but I have some questions. If the EAD does come through and I want to stay with my current job do I need to tell that I am now technically on a green card or can I leave it as them assuming I am still on an E3R?
If I am using my annual income more so than savings to prove that I will not become a public charge, will it look bad that I filed for a EAD even if I didn't change jobs? What if I do change jobs but I have a similar income?
I basically just want to make sure there won't be negative repercussions for filing for this.

I am also going to file Form I-131 but I am not sure of my travel dates yet. Can it be approximate? And should I guess on the higher number of days I will be out of the country rather than stating a number and then staying outside of America for a longer amount of days than that?

Thank you!

You're not technically on a GC on the basis of getting an approved EAD card, you're still on your E3 status as long as you don't use the AOS based EAD card for authorized employment. And even if you do, you're still not technically on a GC - you will no longer be in E3 status in that case, you be on what's known as adjustment pending.

An EAD approval has no bearing on your earning or the AOS petition approval - no such thing as repercussion.

Yes, you can approximate or guess the dates for form I-131. You're not obligated to whatever number of days you list on the form.

 

[Al92]

Hi, My number is EU20***. Currently I'm on H1B visa. 5th year. Came to US on F1 Visa in 2008.
I want to go with AOS, however, can't decide if I should file my documents myself or hire a lawyer. Can you please share your experience and anvise. I understand that your response will be just to give me an idea and will not bind you. I can't decide and it is stressing me out. Lawyer who filed my H1B is asking $1400. Also, I still didn't start my DS260 form. is there a deadline for this form.

Please help
Thanks
Al

 

[Britsimon]

Hi, My number is EU20***. Currently I'm on H1B visa. 5th year. Came to US on F1 Visa in 2008.
I want to go with AOS, however, can't decide if I should file my documents myself or hire a lawyer. Can you please share your experience and anvise. I understand that your response will be just to give me an idea and will not bind you. I can't decide and it is stressing me out. Lawyer who filed my H1B is asking $1400. Also, I still didn't start my DS260 form. is there a deadline for this form.

Please help
Thanks
Al

There is no strict deadline for the DS260, but in general it is better to submit once you have decided you will do the AOS route.

As for lawyer or no lawyer...

The forms for DV are very simple and fully explained in the linked spreadsheet at the beginning of this thread. Once you take the time to read the spreadsheet, any questions can be expertly answered by "Sm1smom" - and the rest of us will contribute where we can. This platform costs you precisely zero dollars.

Now, your lawyer probably doesn't know very much at all, almost certainly has never handled a DV AOS case and will charge you $1400 to do something you can do better yourself.

Tough choice.

 

[Sm1smom]

Hi, My number is EU20***. Currently I'm on H1B visa. 5th year. Came to US on F1 Visa in 2008.
I want to go with AOS, however, can't decide if I should file my documents myself or hire a lawyer. Can you please share your experience and anvise. I understand that your response will be just to give me an idea and will not bind you. I can't decide and it is stressing me out. Lawyer who filed my H1B is asking $1400. Also, I still didn't start my DS260 form. is there a deadline for this form.

Please help
Thanks
Al

There are past DV based AOS Threads in the forum, I suggest you spend some time going over them if you want to know of others' experiences.

There's no reason I can think of as to why anyone who is eligible to process AOS (as in entered the US legally and has never violated the terms of admission or gone out of status) would need a lawyer for this process. Go through the AOS process spreadsheet for a step by step guidance on what to do. Link to the spreadsheet is on the first post on this Thread.

 

[Al92]

There are past DV based AOS Threads in the forum, I suggest you spend some time going over them if you want to know of others' experiences.

There's no reason I can think of as to why anyone who is eligible to process AOS (as in entered the US legally and has never violated the terms of admission or gone out of status) would need a lawyer for this process. Go through the AOS process spreadsheet for a step by step guidance on what to do. Link to the spreadsheet is on the first post on this Thread.

Thank you very much Britsimon and Sm1smom for quick response. I have already downloaded spreadsheet and read it. It is very helpful guide. Your help is really appreciated. I will keep reading other posts to learn others experiences.
You gave me courage. I will spend some time on my case and file documents myself.

Best,
Al

 

[angel_A]

Hello,

My application got selected for the DV2017 lottery. I currently live in the US on an H1B visa. My case number is 2017OC000008XX. Couple questions:

1. How soon can i start applying and sending in my package with that case number?
2. I completed the DS260 form in July but have not gotten a email response yet. How long will i have to wait for an email response?
3. I plan to travel out the country on vacation next week. I have not yet submitted my AOS package (i only submitted the DS260). I plan to submit my AOS package when i get back from vacation in October. Will leaving the country hurt my chances?

Please advise.

Thanks for all your help.

P.S. The spreadsheet is very helpful.

 

[Sm1smom]

Hello,

My application got selected for the DV2017 lottery. I currently live in the US on an H1B visa. My case number is 2017OC000008XX. Couple questions:

1. How soon can i start applying and sending in my package with that case number?
2. I completed the DS260 form in July but have not gotten a email response yet. How long will i have to wait for an email response?
3. I plan to travel out the country on vacation next week. I have not yet submitted my AOS package (i only submitted the DS260). I plan to submit my AOS package when i get back from vacation in October. Will leaving the country hurt my chances?

Please advise.

Thanks for all your help.

P.S. The spreadsheet is very helpful.

1. I can't predict when your CN is likely to become current, you'll need to keep an eye on the VB for that. You may send in your AOS package the month your CN becomes current or take advantage of early filing - if using early filing, be aware of the possibility of a rejected package or a denial of the petition itself.

2. 2NL sometimes takes between 2 - 8 weeks, sometimes longer.

3. Leaving the country prior to AOS filing will not negatively impact your case.

 

[angel_A]

Hi,

It's me again. I am having a hard time understanding the visa bulletin. Below is a the DV category for the month of October 2016. My case number being 2017OC000008XX, does that mean it's not time for me to submit my application yet? For Oceania, is it only people with up to 300 case number that can apply in October? Please advice

Region All DV Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed Separately
AFRICA 8,000
ASIA 2,100
EUROPE 8,500
NORTH
AMERICA
(BAHAMAS) 2
OCEANIA 300

 

[Britsimon]

Hi,

It's me again. I am having a hard time understanding the visa bulletin. Below is a the DV category for the month of October 2016. My case number being 2017OC000008XX, does that mean it's not time for me to submit my application yet? For Oceania, is it only people with up to 300 case number that can apply in October? Please advice

Region All DV Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed Separately
AFRICA 8,000
ASIA 2,100
EUROPE 8,500
NORTH
AMERICA
(BAHAMAS) 2
OCEANIA 300

http://britsimonsays.com/read-visa-bulletin/

 

[Sm1smom]

Hi,

It's me again. I am having a hard time understanding the visa bulletin. Below is a the DV category for the month of October 2016. My case number being 2017OC000008XX, does that mean it's not time for me to submit my application yet? For Oceania, is it only people with up to 300 case number that can apply in October? Please advice

Region All DV Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed Separately
AFRICA 8,000
ASIA 2,100
EUROPE 8,500
NORTH
AMERICA
(BAHAMAS) 2
OCEANIA 300

1. Yes
2. People with CN BELOW 300 - so technically that means people with CN up to 299.

 

[bit79]

Hello everybody,

First of all, I would like to thank the moderators for the AoS spread-sheet and all the resources you guys have put together. It is extremely helpful and informative.
I was selected for further processing in the second batch and my number is 2017EU28***. Based on what I read in the spread sheet my number should become
current around May 2017. I have a few question, specific to my situation, and would greatly appreciate your advice:

1. While completing form DS-260 I realized that I have included my middle name in the eDV application. However, when I was going through my passport I noticed
that it doesn't have middle name, only my first and last names (Just the format of the passport). Is it a problem, and what can be done to remedy this situation
2.I am currently on H1B and live in MA, however it is likely I will be moving to NY in next 2-5 months. Is changing of my address going to introduce significant delays
to AoS process and do you think it's risky to process AoS with my CN in NY field office?

Thank you in advance.

 

[Sm1smom]

Hello everybody,

First of all, I would like to thank the moderators for the AoS spread-sheet and all the resources you guys have put together. It is extremely helpful and informative.
I was selected for further processing in the second batch and my number is 2017EU28***. Based on what I read in the spread sheet my number should become
current around May 2017. I have a few question, specific to my situation, and would greatly appreciate your advice:

1. While completing form DS-260 I realized that I have included my middle name in the eDV application. However, when I was going through my passport I noticed
that it doesn't have middle name, only my first and last names (Just the format of the passport). Is it a problem, and what can be done to remedy this situation
2.I am currently on H1B and live in MA, however it is likely I will be moving to NY in next 2-5 months. Is changing of my address going to introduce significant delays
to AoS process and do you think it's risky to process AoS with my CN in NY field office?

Thank you in advance.

1. Listing the middle name on the eDV form is a good idea and you should make sure you also include the middle name on all your AOS forms. Listing the name even if it's not on your passport ensures the background check is properly done.

2. You can look at the past timelines spreadsheets for a comparison of the processing times between the NY and MA FOs, and you can decide if you want to remain in MA till you complete the AOS process or not. Regardless of if there will be a delay or not, all you need to know is the fact that your FO will be based on the home address listed on your I-485 form. So if you would have already moved to NY by the time of filing, you will have to use your NY address.

 

[angel_A]

Thanks for the response. The link was helpful. However, i would like to clarify on the best time to submit my AOS package. Reading the link it sounds like the month your CN becomes current is the month a visa interview is granted. Is this correct? If yes, do I send in my AOS package the month my CN becomes current or can i send it in a month or 2 before?

Looking at the spreadsheet, I see a trend of people with October/November current dates but the date they send in their package to Chicago lockbox is in August. I am getting different information on the best time to submit my AOS package. One person says the month when my CN comes current but I see otherwise on the spreadsheet. Pleas advice on best timing.

Thanks for all you help and knowledge on the DV lottery topic.

 

[Sm1smom]

Thanks for the response. The link was helpful. However, i would like to clarify on the best time to submit my AOS package. Reading the link it sounds like the month your CN becomes current is the month a visa interview is granted. Is this correct? If yes, do I send in my AOS package the month my CN becomes current or can i send it in a month or 2 before?

Looking at the spreadsheet, I see a trend of people with October/November current dates but the date they send in their package to Chicago lockbox is in August. I am getting different information on the best time to submit my AOS package. One person says the month when my CN comes current but I see otherwise on the spreadsheet. Pleas advice on best timing.

Thanks for all you help and knowledge on the DV lottery topic.

Read the AOS process spreadsheet (please don't confuse this with the Timelines spreadsheet). The AOS process spreadsheet makes a clear distinction between early filing and filing in the month your CN becomes current. After going through that, you make the best judgment as to when you wish to file.

 

[bit79]

1. Listing the middle name on the eDV form is a good idea and you should make sure you also include the middle name on all your AOS forms. Listing the name even if it's not on your passport ensures the background check is properly done.

2. You can look at the past timelines spreadsheets for a comparison of the processing times between the NY and MA FOs, and you can decide if you want to remain in MA till you complete the AOS process or not. Regardless of if there will be a delay or not, all you need to know is the fact that your FO will be based on the home address listed on your I-485 form. So if you would have already moved to NY by the time of filing, you will have to use your NY address.

Thank you very much Sm1smom for your prompt answer, you have saved me from a few sleepless nights

 

[Supersonic2016]

Two quick question:
I just want to know I can do a Personal check for $1070.I have never done it, what should I write in it? I mean, who would be the receiver and how I can track thay they reveived it?
2- Some of my documents are translated from my mother tounge language, when I want to send the package, do I need to mail the original official translation along with copy of the original document which is not English or I can send a copy of the translated page?
Many Thanks,

 

[Sm1smom]

Two quick question:
I just want to know I can do a Personal check for $1070.I have never done it, what should I write in it? I mean, who would be the receiver and how I can track thay they reveived it?
2- Some of my documents are translated from my mother tounge language, when I want to send the package, do I need to mail the original official translation along with copy of the original document which is not English or I can send a copy of the translated page?
Many Thanks,

1. Yes. Make the check payable to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security". I'm assuming you will be including the the check with the rest of your AOS package, right? You can either mail the package by using a courier service or USPS with prove of delivery - well that's how you track your check was delivered. And if you keep an eye on your account you should be able to tell when the check clears.

2. Copies of the original documents in your native tongue plus the original translated versions. You keep a copy of the translated version for yourself.

 

[5unday]

1. Traveling out of the US before sending in the AOS package will not affect the AOS petition when it eventually gets sent in. Traveling after the AOS package also shouldn't have an impact on your petition, you're on a H1B visa which is a dual intent visa.

2. Your call on when to send in the package, and see 1 above.

Hi! As i'm compiling copies of my documents for the AOS package, i realized that if i submit it before my overseas travel, at the time of my interview my i-94 and likely "Place of last entry in the US" of i-485 will be altered. Would i need to resend the updated copies of those documents, or have them with me at the interview?

 

[Sm1smom]

Hi! As i'm compiling copies of my documents for the AOS package, i realized that if i submit it before my overseas travel, at the time of my interview my i-94 and likely "Place of last entry in the US" of i-485 will be altered. Would i need to resend the updated copies of those documents, or have them with me at the interview?

You'll present the new I-94 at the time of interview

 

[ST23]

Hello,

I am putting together my AOS package and I was wondering if I can use the Letter of Employment from when I got my E3 renewed (now on E3R) which is dated June 14 2016 or do I need a new Letter of Employment from my work dated around this time? I submitted my DS-260 on Sept 2nd and my case number is current in October and I think I will file in the next week or so.

Thank you!!!!