Mine is San Jose. I've asked if interview notice have been sent, they said no. Made service request today.
DV 2020 AOS Only
- Thread starter Sm1smom
- Start date
I've been waiting for the interview too, like you guys. My BIO was done on 08/18.
MNA2020
Active Member
I would not count on call reps telling you about IL status. In my case, when the IL was already issued and mailed by the FO, USCIS call reps kept telling me that there is no interview scheduled in the system - so likely there is either a time lag between FO sending IL and updating the system or the system is never really updated for the interview. The way to learn of interview in my case was (a) having service request filed where the rep indeed asks FO to tell them where the case is and/or (b) congressional inquiry where the congress person's office reaches out to the FO.
In short, if the rep tells you that the case is with the FO, you need to find a way of reaching out to the FO and not rely on what the call reps tell you.
asm_dv
Active Member
My wife's visa expired last month but she is under F2 with and I-20 that has a valid status until 2024. I know that if she travels outside US then she has to get a visa again to re-enter. We had done it twice already since 2018.
Q1: Is there a memo/policy or USCIS guideline that clearly shows that as long as the I-20 is not expired then the holder of the I-20 is within status?
I remember from one of the interview experience of last few years posted on the forum that the IO was not particularly knowledgeable about the I-20 date as the date to be considered for question of status. And after the interview the IO had to check with a supervisor to confirm and then approve the case (AFIK). Just wanted to have a hardcopy policy memo/guideline that I can take with me during interview as a backup.
Thanks in advance for those who can help with this
Q1: Is there a memo/policy or USCIS guideline that clearly shows that as long as the I-20 is not expired then the holder of the I-20 is within status?
I remember from one of the interview experience of last few years posted on the forum that the IO was not particularly knowledgeable about the I-20 date as the date to be considered for question of status. And after the interview the IO had to check with a supervisor to confirm and then approve the case (AFIK). Just wanted to have a hardcopy policy memo/guideline that I can take with me during interview as a backup.
Thanks in advance for those who can help with this
Sm1smom
Super Moderator
Thanks Susie
Thank you. They used the biometrics they had on file. My wife had her on Aug 17th.
@Sm1smom your spreadsheet has been invaluable. Thank you so much for guiding all of us throughout the process.
I'll update the timeline.
Absolutely agreed. We erred towards including more evidence/documents to support our case, which I think, allowed the officer to approve the case without RFE/interview.
Also wanted to mention this. There was no progress in our case for weeks, it was only after we sent a congressional inquiry that we saw rapid updates to our case. Just after 2 business days of inquiry, our EAD and travel document was approved and after 5 business days. Of course, can't be 100% sure if this was because of the inquiry -the officer could have been already working on the case and we would have seen similar results w/o the inquiry too.
Sm1smom
Super Moderator
Thank you for the feedback. Happy to have played a significant role in your American journey.
Good morning, everyone! I want to share my interview experience we had yesterday. We got approved on the spot (the status right after interview showed "New card is being produced" for all of us). But before I proceed, I wanted to say A BIG THANK YOU and to express my gratitude to @Sm1smom who helps to everyone of us. I can definitely say that without you and this forum I would not make it that far. Thank you for all your invaluable guidance throughout t the process. Thanks to @Britsimon, this is how I knew about Mom and this Forum. My husband says I need to send you some gifts as a compensation for all your patience 
I totally agree.
And thanks to all those who were sharing and commenting here, that was really helpful, I really benefited from this thread.
Starting from the moment when I knew I am a DV selectee I experienced a myriad of emotions...I think this is smth everyone is gonna remember for quite a while (this Y2020 and the DV/AOS process).
So, let's get back to the interview. The IL stated 8am. We arrived at 7:30 am, checked in, did photo and index fingerprints at reception and started waiting at the waiting area.
1. @8:10 am, the lady came out and called all of us at once (4 people: 2 adults and 2 kids). She started asking about my J1 visa, I explained everything. Then she asked my husband about his study here in the USA, what in particular he studied, his OPT experience, his STEM OPT.
2. She asked about my SSN, which I lost and stated in I-485 that there is no SSN (I don't remember it from Y2004), she said she needs to check that.
3. She checked our I-20s.
4. Went through all Yes/NO questions.
5. Asked about current job my husband has, even which route he takes to drive to work everyday.
6. Asked about our intentions to immigrate.
7. Then she asked if we need to add anything to the files. We added new paystubs, updated bank account statements, tax transcript Y2019, new lease agreement. She was satisfied and was acting respectful through all the interview. After all this, she said, she approved our cases and put stamps in our files "Approved". All in all, it took around 45-50 min. At 9 am we were free.
At the end, she made some suggestions in regards to areas of living etc, so she tried to be helpful.
Once again, I hope this helps and ALL of you guys end up with your green cards. Wish you BEST of LUCK!
I totally agree.And thanks to all those who were sharing and commenting here, that was really helpful, I really benefited from this thread.
Starting from the moment when I knew I am a DV selectee I experienced a myriad of emotions...I think this is smth everyone is gonna remember for quite a while (this Y2020 and the DV/AOS process).
So, let's get back to the interview. The IL stated 8am. We arrived at 7:30 am, checked in, did photo and index fingerprints at reception and started waiting at the waiting area.
1. @8:10 am, the lady came out and called all of us at once (4 people: 2 adults and 2 kids). She started asking about my J1 visa, I explained everything. Then she asked my husband about his study here in the USA, what in particular he studied, his OPT experience, his STEM OPT.
2. She asked about my SSN, which I lost and stated in I-485 that there is no SSN (I don't remember it from Y2004), she said she needs to check that.
3. She checked our I-20s.
4. Went through all Yes/NO questions.
5. Asked about current job my husband has, even which route he takes to drive to work everyday.
6. Asked about our intentions to immigrate.
7. Then she asked if we need to add anything to the files. We added new paystubs, updated bank account statements, tax transcript Y2019, new lease agreement. She was satisfied and was acting respectful through all the interview. After all this, she said, she approved our cases and put stamps in our files "Approved". All in all, it took around 45-50 min. At 9 am we were free.
At the end, she made some suggestions in regards to areas of living etc, so she tried to be helpful.
Once again, I hope this helps and ALL of you guys end up with your green cards. Wish you BEST of LUCK!
Last edited:
bbhattarai
Member
hi @Sm1smom Seems like my GC is lost by USPS. They have not returned back to USCIS till date and I did everything to try to catch up with them. I'll wait for a week or so if they can provide any update. And yesterday my STEM got approved, kind of irony, the status chagned to "New Card Being Produced". I'm not sure now what to do with this all status thing. Please advise me on this. Thanks
Sm1smom
Super Moderator
Good morning, everyone! I want to share my interview experience we had yesterday. We got approved on the spot (the status right after interview showed "New card is being produced" for all of us). But before I proceed, I wanted to say A BIG THANK YOU and to express my gratitude to @Sm1smom who helps to everyone of us. I can definitely say that without you and this forum I would not make it that far. Thank you for all your invaluable guidance throughout t the process. Thanks to @Britsimon, this is how I knew about Mom and this Forum. My husband says I need to send you some gifts as a compensation for all your patience
And thanks to all those who were sharing and commenting here, that was really helpful, I really benefited from this thread.
Starting from the moment when I knew I am a DV selectee I experienced a myriad of emotions...I think this is smth everyone is gonna remember for quite a while (this Y2020 and the DV/AOS process).
So, let's get back to the interview. The IL stated 8am. We arrived at 7:30 am, checked in, did photo and index fingerprints at reception and started waiting at the waiting area.
1. @8:10 am, the lady came out and called all of us at once (4 people: 2 adults and 2 kids). She started asking about my J1 visa, I explained everything. Then she asked my husband about his study here in the USA, what in particular he studied, his OPT experience, his STEM OPT.
2. She asked about my SSN, which I lost and stated in I-485 that there is no SSN (I don't remember it from Y2004), she said she needs to check that.
3. She checked our I-20s.
4. Went through all Yes/NO questions.
5. Asked about current job my husband has, even which route he takes to drive to work everyday.
6. Asked about our intentions to immigrate.
7. Then she asked if we need to add anything to the files. We added new paystubs, updated bank account statements, tax transcript Y2019, new lease agreement. She was satisfied and was acting respectful through all the interview. After all this, she said, she approved our cases and put stamps in our files "Approved". All in all, it took around 45-50 min. At 9 am we were free.
At the end, she made some suggestions in regards to areas of living etc, so she tried to be helpful.
Once again, I hope this helps and ALL of you guys end up with your green cards. Wish you BEST of LUCK!
I like your husband already
- he's so aware of how often I had to remind you to breathe and take a step back . Congratulations on successfully completing the process. All the best!
Sm1smom
Super Moderator
You need to keep following up the USPS - there was a similar case in the past when they claimed they had returned the GC to USCIS - it turned out not to be the case - they eventually found and redelivered it to the addressee.
bbhattarai
Member
yes I've been following up to them. They haven't processed to return the case to sender till date and I've been going to USPS if they can help find the package. I've created a search request and they should probably get me back by tomorrow or this week as per them.
ShazzA
Member
how did you find out they lost it?
bbhattarai
Member
I'm not sure actually they lost it or not. August 24 was last update where they said that returned to sender in Las Vegas kind of msg. When I inquired further more they said they haven't started the internal process to return back to sender once they start the process it will update on tracking number. But been more than a week still no update, I'm still following up with USPS not sure where the package is now.
Hello everyone,
Can I ask if I-134 form will help my case from US citizen although I have submitted I-944 but am afraid that might not be enough for them . If so should I ask him to fill it and submitted to USCIS or I just bring it with me to the interview with the supporting documents.
Thanks
Can I ask if I-134 form will help my case from US citizen although I have submitted I-944 but am afraid that might not be enough for them . If so should I ask him to fill it and submitted to USCIS or I just bring it with me to the interview with the supporting documents.
Thanks
asm_dv
Active Member
Sm1smom
Super Moderator
Having an I-134 on hand wouldn't hurt.
Just a update for people who wait for interview notice.
My wife and I done Biometrics on 8/6 and waiting for interview notice since then. I called KCC two times and FO didn’t request my case.
I called USCIS two weeks ago and explained everything tier-1 said call back on 9/6 if you don’t receive. She didn’t want to do service request or transfer me to tier-2.
I called again this Monday and talked different tier-1, and she listened carefully and setup callback with tier-2. Tier-2 called me back 4 hours later, and made a service request. He wrote “DV visa applicant waiting for interview date, case must be adjudicated by Sept 30” he said.
Today, I got email for service request result WITH INTERVIEW INFO IN IT.
So our interview set September 17, New Orleans field office.
My wife and I done Biometrics on 8/6 and waiting for interview notice since then. I called KCC two times and FO didn’t request my case.
I called USCIS two weeks ago and explained everything tier-1 said call back on 9/6 if you don’t receive. She didn’t want to do service request or transfer me to tier-2.
I called again this Monday and talked different tier-1, and she listened carefully and setup callback with tier-2. Tier-2 called me back 4 hours later, and made a service request. He wrote “DV visa applicant waiting for interview date, case must be adjudicated by Sept 30” he said.
Today, I got email for service request result WITH INTERVIEW INFO IN IT.
So our interview set September 17, New Orleans field office.