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DV 2020 AOS Only

charlie90 said:
Hey everyone! My husband and I had our interview this past Friday (Feb 28) and we're sharing our experience here.

A little bit of our background. Both of us are on F-1 status. I'm still in school and he's on F-1 OPT, working in the area. We got married about 1 prior to when we found out about the DV lottery selection. I am in a doctorate level program and my husband has a masters degree. I was also on OPT about 2 years ago, but now back in school.

Our interview was scheduled for 12:30 pm (well my husbands was at 12:30 and mine at 1:20 based on the letters received). We both came at 12 pm but had to wait about 1 h 45 min before we were called. The officer called us both at the same time though.

The interview lasted about 40-45 min, the IO asked for our drivers license, passports, and OPT cards. He was very chill and friendly, joking with us the whole interview. After taking the oath, the IO mentioned that it has been like 5 years since he dealt with DV based AOS cases so he said to bear with him as we move along. He went over the paperwork we sent in the AOS package (it seemed like it was the exact copies we sent to the Chicago Lockbox since I saw the sticky notes I used to organize the files at the very back of the case as the IO was flipping over the papers). He asked to see my husbands masters degree diploma. He looked over the documents we sent, and didn’t ask for anything else. Not even the original copies of our birth or marriage certificates, or bank any bank statements or paystubs. He said the copies should be sufficient. From the I-485 form, he only asked 3 questions: 1. Where we ever arrested, in court, etc 2. Were we ever denied in a visa (My husband did have a denial in the past so the IO asked when and why). 3. And we can’t remember the 3rd lol

That was pretty much it. At the end we did get the letter (see attached photo). The IO also said that since he does not have the authority to approve, he has to send an email to KCC and they should give him permission. He also gave us a timeline saying that this should take about 2-3 weeks till the final result and that if everything goes well we should have the cards in about 3-4 weeks.

Is this a normal process for small FO’s? Does the KCC give permission to approve in such cases? We are a bit confused. Also over the entire interview he would say phrases like “and then we can approve your case” or “we want to approve you” etc. The IO also didn't have access to the DS-260 form since we mentioned we made a minor spelling mistake in my husbands parents names but the IO said its okay since the I-485 has the corrected names.

Also, it was kinda funny because he forgot to ask us to sign the I-485 form and at the end when he said we are good to go I kindly asked if we need to sign anything (since I did remember that was a requirement at the very end of the form) and he was like “of yes of course we both have to sign the forms”.

So a positive experience overall, but we were left a bit confused on some of the things I asked above.
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Your IO need the KCC file, which doesn’t seem like he had requested for/received prior to your interview, before your AOS petition can be approved. Requesting your KCC file is what the IO is referring to regarding needing permission to approve from KCC.
 
Sm1smom said:
Your IO need the KCC file, which doesn’t seem like he had requested for/received prior to your interview, before your AOS petition can be approved. Requesting your KCC file is what the IO is referring to regarding needing permission to approve from KCC.
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Oooh I see, is that how this normally happens that they request the case after the interview? Thank you for replying so fast.
 
CN: 2020AS3XXX
Status: F1 till mid-Feb didn't apply for OPT. So, automatically I am AOS pending status
Current: December
FO: Minneapolis, MN
Interview Date and time: 03/02/2020 8:45 am

The interview was all good. Started with an oath. IO asked for an identity card, so I gave him my passport, driver license, and SSN then he asked if I want to add any more documents. I graduated from undergrad after my application submission so, I added my diploma and transcript. I was jobless after my application so, I added my new job offer letter. I was asked for a bank statement which I don't have a copy, so he asked for W2, I submitted a copy of recent W2 and also the affidavit of support just in case. After submitting all the documents he started reviewing the i-485 application and asking my name, current address, past address, date of birth, birth location, father and mother names, last admission location, status and date and so on. Then he randomly selected the questions on the back of the form and asked around 12 questions in which all the answers were NO. Then he explained a few corrections in the application and asked me to sign the application if everything was true and there are no more changes. After I signed he asked if I had any questions for him I said NO. He then told me to expect a week-long wait to hear from then he said all the application looks good at that point and he will request for the visa to Department of State and once the visa is available, he will approve my case. Currently, the case status shows it's under the initial review.
 
san83 said:
CN: 2020AS3XXX
Status: F1 till mid-Feb didn't apply for OPT. So, automatically I am AOS pending status
Current: December
FO: Minneapolis, MN
Interview Date and time: 03/02/2020 8:45 am

The interview was all good. Started with an oath. IO asked for an identity card, so I gave him my passport, driver license, and SSN then he asked if I want to add any more documents. I graduated from undergrad after my application submission so, I added my diploma and transcript. I was jobless after my application so, I added my new job offer letter. I was asked for a bank statement which I don't have a copy, so he asked for W2, I submitted a copy of recent W2 and also the affidavit of support just in case. After submitting all the documents he started reviewing the i-485 application and asking my name, current address, past address, date of birth, birth location, father and mother names, last admission location, status and date and so on. Then he randomly selected the questions on the back of the form and asked around 12 questions in which all the answers were NO. Then he explained a few corrections in the application and asked me to sign the application if everything was true and there are no more changes. After I signed he asked if I had any questions for him I said NO. He then told me to expect a week-long wait to hear from then he said all the application looks good at that point and he will request for the visa to Department of State and once the visa is available, he will approve my case. Currently, the case status shows it's under the initial review.
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Q1: I have confusion! Aren't the I-485 we send already have to be signed when we send them?
Q2: When the IO asked for you to sign the application was it the I-485 that was sent or a new one?

Thanks in advance
 
asm_dv said:
Q1: I have confusion! Aren't the I-485 we send already have to be signed when we send them?
Q2: When the IO asked for you to sign the application was it the I-485 that was sent or a new one?

Thanks in advance
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Yup you are right that we sign the application on part 10 in the form, but once you are done with interview, we have to sign on part 13 on the form which says that we are done with interview.
 
Last edited:
Hi. I need some advice desperately.
First issue. My number is current and I've done medical, filled out DS260, and sent the teller check 6 weeks ago, but still no receipt. What can I do?

Next...and very urgent issue...
I've just been given 4 weeks notice on my E3 job. At what stage am I in adjustment of status? Can I find a new role/freelance or do I need to wait for an EAD? Nothing seems to be possible until I have that receipt. I fear getting a new E3 will now be impossible that I've shown an intent to immigrate. But getting a green card is still out of my reach. Can I revert back to doing the application in my home country, or is that now too late?
At worst, can I be unemployed and live on savings until I have the EAD or Green Card? But will it just get rejected if I'm not employed?

Kind of freaking out.
 
Hi I have some questions after reading some of the most recent threads. I am currently on OPT and am qualified for OPT extension. It is recommend for my me to file my OPT extension prior to my AOS package correct?

Q.1 My number will not be current until at least May and I can start applying for OPT extension in April. If I apply for OPT extension I will have to file a I-765 with those information then?

Q.2 I am currently renting a house and my address can change after the beginning of July. AS the timeable shown that it can take up to 4 months to recieve further mails after AOS being filed, how should I fill in the destination of receiving notices?

Finally thank you for much for all your information Sm1smom, you have provide lots of information for me and I really appericate all your help and repsones! Thank you so much!
 
aussie expat said:
Hi. I need some advice desperately.
First issue. My number is current and I've done medical, filled out DS260, and sent the teller check 6 weeks ago, but still no receipt. What can I do?

Next...and very urgent issue...
I've just been given 4 weeks notice on my E3 job. At what stage am I in adjustment of status? Can I find a new role/freelance or do I need to wait for an EAD? Nothing seems to be possible until I have that receipt. I fear getting a new E3 will now be impossible that I've shown an intent to immigrate. But getting a green card is still out of my reach. Can I revert back to doing the application in my home country, or is that now too late?
At worst, can I be unemployed and live on savings until I have the EAD or Green Card? But will it just get rejected if I'm not employed?

Kind of freaking out.
Click to expand...

1. Contact KCC and request copy of the receipt be emailed to you.

2. Adjustment pending status rolls in if current status expires AFTER USCIS acknowledges AOS petition (which is when the NOA gets issued after the Chicago Lockbox formally accepts the AOS petition).

3. I can’t guide you on what to do re finding a new job, that is not a DV AOS based related question.

4. It is not too late to change to CP, it will however take a couple of months before KCC will a CP interview in this case - you may be looking at 3 to 4 months.

5. You can remain employed pending AOS or EAD approval (whichever comes first) provided your AOS package is formally accepted by USCIS before your current status expires.

p.s. number your questions if you have more than one in a post.
 
kong17 said:
Hi I have some questions after reading some of the most recent threads. I am currently on OPT and am qualified for OPT extension. It is recommend for my me to file my OPT extension prior to my AOS package correct?

Q.1 My number will not be current until at least May and I can start applying for OPT extension in April. If I apply for OPT extension I will have to file a I-765 with those information then?

Q.2 I am currently renting a house and my address can change after the beginning of July. AS the timeable shown that it can take up to 4 months to recieve further mails after AOS being filed, how should I fill in the destination of receiving notices?

Finally thank you for much for all your information Sm1smom, you have provide lots of information for me and I really appericate all your help and repsones! Thank you so much!
Click to expand...

1. You fill out the forms with your accurate information.

2. Again the information has to be accurately filled as applicable as at the time of filling the forms. If you have a separate mailing address where you typically receive mail, you’ll provide that. You can’t list a future address AFAIK.
 
I have a question regarding form I-944, the part that asks about health insurance.
Correct me if I am wrong. I may be current in next visa bulletin. I have a student health insurance which terminates on May 28. Only those who answered "No" to item number 15.A should answer item number 15.D when it asks "Have you enrolled or will soon enroll in health insurance but your health coverage has not started yet?"
 
What documents are essential from the sponsor? I am a student here in United States then can I show that my parents are sending money from my home country?
 
hi,

sorry for the question:
Should I send the documents with the original signature and keep a copy for me, or the opposite?

Thanks
 
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