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DV 2018 AOS Only

febzz said:
Thanks, Mom.

Also, from what you've been seeing, how does submission of an older/wrong form version affect the DV AOS Application, specifically I-693?

As mentioned previously, my Civil Surgeon apparently didn't use the most recent version.

And also, to your knowledge, other than waiting for RFE from USCIS (which may take some time as they only do snail mail), what other options do I have? Does USCIS typically accept additional documentation submitted during an InfoPass Appointment, a) with the RFE Letter, b) without RFE?

And does the additional documentation usually needs to be mailed to the Interviewing FO or a centralized office (then from there, they'll forward to the FO)?

Thanks!
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Typically if the medical exam is reported on an older version of form I-693, a RFE gets issued for the medical result to be submitted. In your case, what is the possibility of the IO being wrong? When was your medical exam conducted? Did you download the form yourself or your CS provided you with the form that was used?

You can go on an INFOPASS to see if a RFE has been issued. With regards to submitting the medical during an INFOPASS, I already answered that question in one of my previous response to you.

The RFE comes with information on where to send the requested document to.
 
Sm1smom said:
Typically if the medical exam is reported on an older version of form I-693, a RFE gets issued for the medical result to be submitted. In your case, what is the possibility of the IO being wrong? When was your medical exam conducted? Did you download the form yourself or your CS provided you with the form that was used?

You can go on an INFOPASS to see if a RFE has been issued. With regards to submitting the medical during an INFOPASS, I already answered that question in one of my previous response to you.

The RFE comes with information on where to send the requested document to.
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I think he's right. I got a copy of the I-693 as well but I didn't pay attention to the form version and I mailed the complete AOS package the day after I got the sealed I-693 so I was rushing everything and forgot to re-check it and just assumed it was the right version.

My exam was around the end of April so it should still be good.

I downloaded the latest version and brought it to the Civil Surgeon but then they said they had it so they didn't use the one I brought.

You did. I just checked again one of your previous responses. Thanks, Mom!

I'll inquire about my case this coming Monday during the InfoPass Appointment and will bring the right I-693 just in case.
 
Hi Mom,

I just found out about this inquiry tool/site: https://my.uscis.gov/account/v1/needhelp.

I was wondering if you knew anything about this tool? Could it be used to inquire about the Status of my Application (like an alternative to InfoPass)? I-485 is not available in the list of cases (in the drop-down, for the inquiry form), but apparently it's not a mandatory field so submitting without it is possible as well.

Thanks!
 
febzz said:
Hi Mom,

I just found out about this inquiry tool/site: https://my.uscis.gov/account/v1/needhelp.

I was wondering if you knew anything about this tool? Could it be used to inquire about the Status of my Application (like an alternative to InfoPass)? I-485 is not available in the list of cases (in the drop-down, for the inquiry form), but apparently it's not a mandatory field so submitting without it is possible as well.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

No. Infopass.
 
febzz said:
Hi Mom,

I just found out about this inquiry tool/site: https://my.uscis.gov/account/v1/needhelp.

I was wondering if you knew anything about this tool? Could it be used to inquire about the Status of my Application (like an alternative to InfoPass)? I-485 is not available in the list of cases (in the drop-down, for the inquiry form), but apparently it's not a mandatory field so submitting without it is possible as well.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Yes it can be used however in this situation, it’s not an option I’ll pick over going on an INFOPASS if this was my case.
 
Britsimon said:
No. Infopass.
Click to expand...
Sm1smom said:
Yes it can be used however in this situation, it’s not an option I’ll pick over going on an INFOPASS if this was my case.
Click to expand...
Thanks, Simon and Mom.

Yes, I'm still keeping with my InfoPass Appointment and am going on Monday.

I decided to also send them a message via the tool, as I was just curious too to see where it'd lead / what response I'd get, and it could be another data point hopefully for all of us. I'll report back once I hear from them.
 
Just went to infopass and they said my file was received yesterday in NY FO and is in the building but the background check has not been completed. They technically cannot schedule the interview before then, but the scheduling will be done manually and everything has to be done by sept 30th, so they are aware.

1. Do I continue to book infopass until background check is completed and/or interview letter is received? Can I do anything else?

Thank you
 
Hi Mom,

We had our INFOPASS appointment this morning. The officer was really nice.

We started by explaining that our number had been selected for August 2018, that we were requesting an AOS and that we had completed our biometrics.

She then asked for any documents we had, so we provided the I-797 notice of action and the stamped biometrics letters.

We asked the question: Could you advise if the field office had received our packages?

As she searched on her computer, she advised that mine (primary) had been received. However, my husband’s (derivative) was ‘in transit’.

We asked her to explain what ‘in transit’ meant and and she advised that she would need to go check with her supervisor.

When she returned and was typing into her computer, we asked the question : Have our background checks been completed?

She advised that mine had been completed, but my husband’s had not.


One comment the officer made was that my husband’s file could potentially be attached to mine and that sometimes they don’t scan both files. She also advised that if I receive an interview letter, both myself and my husband should attend.


  1. Do you think we should contact our local ombudsman to see if there is anything that can be done to speed up the background check, if it has indeed not been completed?
  2. What would you recommend we should do next to stay on top of it, other than waiting?

Thank you!
 
lightfish said:
Just went to infopass and they said my file was received yesterday in NY FO and is in the building but the background check has not been completed. They technically cannot schedule the interview before then, but the scheduling will be done manually and everything has to be done by sept 30th, so they are aware.

1. Do I continue to book infopass until background check is completed and/or interview letter is received? Can I do anything else?

Thank you
Click to expand...

INFOPASS is all you can do at the moment. Do another visit in about 2 weeks.
 
Gill19 said:
Hi Mom,

We had our INFOPASS appointment this morning. The officer was really nice.

We started by explaining that our number had been selected for August 2018, that we were requesting an AOS and that we had completed our biometrics.

She then asked for any documents we had, so we provided the I-797 notice of action and the stamped biometrics letters.

We asked the question: Could you advise if the field office had received our packages?

As she searched on her computer, she advised that mine (primary) had been received. However, my husband’s (derivative) was ‘in transit’.

We asked her to explain what ‘in transit’ meant and and she advised that she would need to go check with her supervisor.

When she returned and was typing into her computer, we asked the question : Have our background checks been completed?

She advised that mine had been completed, but my husband’s had not.


One comment the officer made was that my husband’s file could potentially be attached to mine and that sometimes they don’t scan both files. She also advised that if I receive an interview letter, both myself and my husband should attend.


  1. Do you think we should contact our local ombudsman to see if there is anything that can be done to speed up the background check, if it has indeed not been completed?
  2. What would you recommend we should do next to stay on top of it, other than waiting?

Thank you!
Click to expand...

1. Ombudsman’s Office cannot not speed up background check, that’s a process that will take its course.

2. Another INFOPASS appointment in about 2 weeks time if IL hasn’t shown up
 
Thank you mom.

She was also happy to hear I submitted the I-693 medical forms in my application. I showed the FO the copy that I prepared from the civil surgeon as well and she said it looks good.
 
Sm1smom said:
1. Ombudsman’s Office cannot not speed up background check, that’s a process that will take its course.

2. Another INFOPASS appointment in about 2 weeks time if IL hasn’t shown up
Click to expand...

Thanks Mom. Will book another info pass then and keep hoping!
 
Hi Mom,
Today I walked to the asylum office to know if my asylum file been sent to the field office as requested by my interview officer,they informed me the file was sent two days ago and arrived this morning to my field office, I hope it is good sign.
But I am wondering why the officer needed to the asylum file because some AOers with pending asylum case got an approval on spot?
Thanks
 
Hi Mom,

- I had my infopass yesterday. First, I asked the officer whether my background check is completed or not, he said your case is cleared in this office and you are in the line to be invited for the interview (the answer was the same as the previous officer in the first infopass)
I asked him again specifically about the meaning of being cleared in the office, he said we start working on the cases when they are cleared about some important things, background check may be included ( He did not let me know I cleared about what specific things).
- I explained a little about my case (DV base ) and how its timely manner is important in my case, and he said oh your case is DV base, i am familiar with that and we have to finish those cases before September 30th. he said the only thing I can do for you today is sending an email to my supervisor and explain that your case is DV base.
-I also talked about my request regarding expediting processing my case mailed around 1 month ago, I said I have not received any response yet about my request, I do not know if it was approved or denied. He said in this office, we usually do not answer the request, if a request is approved it can effect on processing the cases without any notice.
He asked me to give him one copy of whatever I mailed them one month ago, he said he can show my request to his supervisor as well.
- I asked him when would be the possible time for being invited for the interview, he said I am not sure but it would be on August (but he was not sure).
-As the last question I also said that I called KCC, but as i found your office has not requested my case from KCC yet. I would like to know when you are going to request my case from KCC? I think he did not get my question because he said you do not need to be worry about KCC because your case is now in our office and we are working on your case.

Any thought will be appreciated.
Thank
 
Hi Sm1smom,
Thanks for your previous response. I have received new updates to my case. I created an expedite request a while back (request number ending in "CHI" which makes me think it was handled directly by my FO in Chicago) and they replied today saying that they have forwarded this to the officer in charge. Pretty generic, don't know if it will work...
I called the USCIS number today. Their feedback was: my file has been in the FO since May 3rd, background check is clear and I am ready for interview. I just have to wait for the interview to get scheduled.
I went to an infopass appointment on 7/26 where they basically told me the same things, they said that my IL would come "soon" but didn't want to clarify what "soon" meant. So nothing has changed in the last week. I have booked another infopass for 8/15 just in case I don't hear back at that time.
As you suggested, I am thinking of doing the house of rep congressional follow up at the end of this week.
1. I looked up my representative and there is a link to a form to send a message to her. Is this how I contact her for the congressional follow or is there another way?
2. Do you still think I should contact her, given the new info?
I am very worried as we are already in August and visas are running out (I filed in early April)
 
W.M said:
Hi Mom,
Today I walked to the asylum office to know if my asylum file been sent to the field office as requested by my interview officer,they informed me the file was sent two days ago and arrived this morning to my field office, I hope it is good sign.
But I am wondering why the officer needed to the asylum file because some AOers with pending asylum case got an approval on spot?
Thanks
Click to expand...

I don’t know precisely why your IO needs your asylum case file, however it is not unusual for an IO to request other petitions an applicant has in the system before approving the AOS petition.
 
S-MN said:
Hi Mom,

- I had my infopass yesterday. First, I asked the officer whether my background check is completed or not, he said your case is cleared in this office and you are in the line to be invited for the interview (the answer was the same as the previous officer in the first infopass)
I asked him again specifically about the meaning of being cleared in the office, he said we start working on the cases when they are cleared about some important things, background check may be included ( He did not let me know I cleared about what specific things).
- I explained a little about my case (DV base ) and how its timely manner is important in my case, and he said oh your case is DV base, i am familiar with that and we have to finish those cases before September 30th. he said the only thing I can do for you today is sending an email to my supervisor and explain that your case is DV base.
-I also talked about my request regarding expediting processing my case mailed around 1 month ago, I said I have not received any response yet about my request, I do not know if it was approved or denied. He said in this office, we usually do not answer the request, if a request is approved it can effect on processing the cases without any notice.
He asked me to give him one copy of whatever I mailed them one month ago, he said he can show my request to his supervisor as well.
- I asked him when would be the possible time for being invited for the interview, he said I am not sure but it would be on August (but he was not sure).
-As the last question I also said that I called KCC, but as i found your office has not requested my case from KCC yet. I would like to know when you are going to request my case from KCC? I think he did not get my question because he said you do not need to be worry about KCC because your case is now in our office and we are working on your case.

Any thought will be appreciated.
Thank
Click to expand...

Congressional inquiry in a week or another INFOPASS in two weeks if IL hasn’t shown up by then.
 
Hi Mom/Simon,

My spouse just received this email from USCIS. She's the Main Applicant. I, at the time of writing this, still haven't received anything from USCIS. We were interviewed this past Monday, July 30th. We're AS57XX.

Here's the email:

*** DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL ***

There has been a recent processing action taken on your case.

Receipt Number: MSCXXXXXXXXXX

Application Type: I485, APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR ADJUST STATUS

Your Case Status: Initial Review

Your interview for your Form I485, APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR ADJUST STATUS, Receipt Number MSCXXXXXXXXXX, was completed, and your case must be reviewed. We will mail you a notice if we make a decision or take further action. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

During this step, USCIS initiates the background checks of the applicant/petitioner and identifies issues that may need to be addressed either during an interview or by asking the applicant/petitioner to submit additional information or documentation. USCIS reviews the applicant's/petitioner's criminal history, determines if there are national security concerns that need to be addressed, and reviews the application/petition for fraud indicators. If you have filed an I-485, I-589, I-751, N-400, I-90, I-821, I-131 or I-765, you can expect to receive an appointment notice to appear at an Application Support Center to have your fingerprints and/or photographs taken. The timing of your appointment is determined by the number of applicants ahead of you that also need a biometric appointment. We try to schedule biometric appointments as quickly as possible and in most cases you will receive your appointment notice within 30 days of submitting your application. We will send your appointment notice approximately 14 days ahead of your scheduled appointment. It is important that you keep this appointment. If absolutely necessary, you can request that your appointment be rescheduled however, please be aware that rescheduling may delay the processing of your application. Please follow the instructions on your appointment notice if you need to reschedule. Occasionally, you may receive an appointment notice to appear at an Application Support Center to have your fingerprints taken when you have filed a form other than those listed above. In these situations, you may receive your appointment notice more than 30 days after submitting your application or petition.

  • Log-in to your myUSCIS account to view your case history and understand what you can expect to happen next on your case.
  • Current processing times can be found on the USCIS website at under Check Processing Times.

Sincerely,

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Click to expand...

I also checked her Case Status on https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/ and it changed to:

Interview Was Completed And My Case Must Be Reviewed
Your interview for your Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, Receipt Number MSCXXXXXXXXXX, was completed, and your case must be reviewed. We will mail you a notice if we make a decision or take further action. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.
Click to expand...

Which basically is the same thing as what the email says.

Now, I have a couple questions I was hoping you could answer for me:
  1. It says that USCIS initiates the background checks.... Does this mean that they haven't done the necessary background checks at all? We did our Biometrics on June 4th, and they haven't done our background checks, even after both of us were already interviewed two days ago?
  2. It also says about scheduling a biometric appointment for us, is this a mistake? We've done our biometrics.
  3. Why did my Spouse (Primary Applicant) get this email and I didn't?
  4. Any idea what would be the typical turn-around time for this "Initial Review"?
  5. Would you be able to tell us the different possible status responses that are usually seen when checking a case status on the USCIS website? in other words, other than "Initial Review", what are some other possible status responses? Or if you happen to know if there's a website or someone who has this information?
  6. What steps should we take next, given the email we received above?
Again, time is ticking and we're racing against the time. And we're doing AOS and so there's even a greater risk. Any advice you could give, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks, Mom & Simon!
 
Last edited:
bbg2018 said:
Hi Sm1smom,
Thanks for your previous response. I have received new updates to my case. I created an expedite request a while back (request number ending in "CHI" which makes me think it was handled directly by my FO in Chicago) and they replied today saying that they have forwarded this to the officer in charge. Pretty generic, don't know if it will work...
I called the USCIS number today. Their feedback was: my file has been in the FO since May 3rd, background check is clear and I am ready for interview. I just have to wait for the interview to get scheduled.
I went to an infopass appointment on 7/26 where they basically told me the same things, they said that my IL would come "soon" but didn't want to clarify what "soon" meant. So nothing has changed in the last week. I have booked another infopass for 8/15 just in case I don't hear back at that time.
As you suggested, I am thinking of doing the house of rep congressional follow up at the end of this week.
1. I looked up my representative and there is a link to a form to send a message to her. Is this how I contact her for the congressional follow or is there another way?
2. Do you still think I should contact her, given the new info?
I am very worried as we are already in August and visas are running out (I filed in early April)
Click to expand...

1. If that’s the information available on her website, then that’s her preferred form of contact. Some provide phone numbers.

2. No harm in contacting her.
 
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