DV 2021 AOS Only

[Sm1smom]

Hi Mom,

thank you so much for the answers!!

For #2, at first I was 100% sure that I do not have to provide address outside the US since I’ve been living here for the past 5 years.
However, after reading the second section where it says ‘provide your most recent address outside the US where you lived for more than one year’ over and over again, I am questioning myself.
I saw a website who said ‘Note that you must list the last address where you lived outside the United States, even if you lived there more than five years ago.’

Just want to confirm again with you to be really sure as we trust you.

Okay, I see where the confusion is coming from. Yes you need to list your last address outside the US under Part 3 section 9(a) which you wouldn’t have already listed under Part 3 sections 5-8 in your case since you’ve been physically present in the US over 5 years. My previous response was based on the way your original question was phrased - it helps to list the specific section of the form being asked about.

 

[ishmog]

They want extracts of birth certificate issued by the Central Civil Status Office according to the reciprocity page, not necessarily “the original birth certificate at the time of your birth”. If the issuing authority is not the same as noted on the reciprocity page, you will be setting yourself up for being put in AP.

Thank you @Sm1smom for your input on this matter. I'm currently waiting for my mom to ship my Birth Certificate to my current address. I have never heard of the term long form vs small form before since we don't have those in Mauritius. I still need to wait for my mom to get the new birth certificate format from our nearby social security office.


This is what I found on the reciprocity page for Mauritius:

Mauritius

travel.state.gov

Are you saying that they need the extract of the birth certificate from the above mentioned location and not the birth certificate itself. Also, What is the difference between a birth certificate and an extract? I'm sorry for extending this question. I thought I understood this but I'm just more confused at this point.

 

[Sm1smom]

Hello Mom,

I went through the spreadsheet and understood that DS-260 is an optional form to be filled. Moreover, I understand that submitting a DS-260 would give an immigrant intention. Since my case number is on higher side (AS219xx) I was thinking not to submit DS-260 at all and if the number gets current ever, I will send the other documents.

1. If I fill the DS-260, I assume I cant send the AOS package until I receive 2NL, is this assumption is true?
2. I just wanted to know whether there is any advantage for filling up DS-260 for the case?
3. Since my spouse is living in my home country (and she would go to CP) is it required for me to fill DS-260, if I want to add her for my case?

1. That assumption is not correct.
2. See the AOS FAQ section of the AOS process spreadsheet for the advantages of submitting the DS260 form.
3. Recommended.

 

[Sm1smom]

Thank you @Sm1smom for your input on this matter. I'm currently waiting for my mom to ship my Birth Certificate to my current address. I have never heard of the term long form vs small form before since we don't have those in Mauritius. I still need to wait for my mom to get the new birth certificate format from our nearby social security office.


This is what I found on the reciprocity page for Mauritius:

Mauritius

travel.state.gov

View attachment 2318

Are you saying that they need the extract of the birth certificate from the above mentioned location and not the birth certificate itself. Also, What is the difference between a birth certificate and an extract? I'm sorry for extending this question. I thought I understood this but I'm just more confused at this point.

All I’m saying is based on what the reciprocity page says, if the document you’re presenting is not issued by the CSD (as that is the official body recognized by the US government as being responsible for issuing such documents in Mauritius), you could end up in AP. Does it have to be from the specific address listed on the reciprocity page, I don’t know. A google search will show you what the CSD is responsible for in your country and how to obtain them.

I also recommend you google birth certificate and birth extract.

 

[ishmog]

All I’m saying is based on what the reciprocity page says, if the document you’re presenting is not issued by the CSD (as that is the official body recognized by the US government as being responsible for issuing such documents in Mauritius), you could end up in AP. Does it have to be from the specific address listed on the reciprocity page, I don’t know. A google search will show you what the CSD is responsible for in your country and how to obtain them.

I also recommend you google birth certificate and birth extract.

Thank you mom. I will look more into this. At least now, I have an idea of what I really need. I sent an email to the Civil Status Division (CSD) which is the issuing authority for birth certificates in Mauritius. Hopefully, everything will be cleared out.

 

[jasperrrr.c]

Question regarding Public Charge:
I will be graduating with my bachelor's and attend a graduate program this Fall 2021. In order to attend and obtain my I-20, I demonstrated that I had the funds to cover the tuition for a year (>$70,000) by providing a Confidential Statement for Sponsored Studies from my mother, along with her bank statements, to the school.

Thus, I was able to get my Official Graduate Admissions Letter, which clearly states: "As an international student, you have also demonstrated adequate financial support to receive an I-20 or DS-2019".

Would this be considered sufficient proof, and if so, should I provide it with my AOS package or just during the interview?

Thank you!

p.s. My theory is based on the idea that an IO knows how expensive graduate schools can be, and that if I can pay for it, I should not be a public charge.

 

[Sm1smom]

Question regarding Public Charge:
I will be graduating with my bachelor's and attend a graduate program this Fall 2021. In order to attend and obtain my I-20, I demonstrated that I had the funds to cover the tuition for a year (>$70,000) by providing a Confidential Statement for Sponsored Studies from my mother, along with her bank statements, to the school.

Thus, I was able to get my Official Graduate Admissions Letter, which clearly states: "As an international student, you have also demonstrated adequate financial support to receive an I-20 or DS-2019".

Would this be considered sufficient proof, and if so, should I provide it with my AOS package or just during the interview?

Thank you!

p.s. My theory is based on the idea that an IO knows how expensive graduate schools can be, and that if I can pay for it, I should not be a public charge.

No, not necessarily so. Most of the IOs (if not all) are already aware of the fact that international students are required to demonstrate significant self sufficiency financially before being granted the I-20 by the admitting college or the NIV by the embassy, that hasn’t stopped them from asking for an I-134. You do know it is not unusual for an international student who went to great lengths to present the necessary financial documents showing they have the required financial means to support themselves resort to undertaking unauthorized employment as soon as they got into the US, right? So the IO can’t simply assume based on your theory of them knowing how expensive grad schools can be.

 

[jasperrrr.c]

@Sm1smom Thank you.
To follow up with that, if I do not have anyone who could do the I-134 for me, would I just need to have a substantial amount of funds (>$20,000) available (checking, savings, etc.) to me that are under my own name?

 

[dapapa]

We placed this inquiry over a phone, called USCIS and told that we believe that our dv lottery case is outside of our normal processing time. Also ask for a call from Tier 2. In a 5 days they sent email that our case is currently pending interview scheduling. After 3 weeks tier 2 called and when we asked her about bio, she told us that it was scheduled and mail sent to us 10 days ago and we will receive it shortly. In 2 days we received bio letters. Maybe our inquiry draw their attention to our case, Im not sure though.

Another challenge is how to speed up interview scheduling?

Hi TZ&! Thanks for sharing! As I see from the spreadsheet u r filing in Philly, right? I'm the DV winner in Philly with 24k EU case and F-1 status. I thought it'd be great if we could exchange emails/connect over somewhere else as your experience should be a great approximation of what might happen with my case if I ever become current, of course. Hopefully, Philly USCIS will be scheduling interviews smoothly

 

[979]

Me and my wife have been living in US more than 10 years on J and F visas, so we have quite many pages of I20s and DS2019s.

Do you think it is a good idea to NOT include the (unprocessed) instruction pages of these documents when we send their copies to USCIS?

 

[Worker2020]

Dear friends, quick question.
Do you all provide ONLY certified translation of your degree (school, university etc.) OR do you also provide credential evolution of your diplomas?

 

[Sm1smom]

@Sm1smom Thank you.
To follow up with that, if I do not have anyone who could do the I-134 for me, would I just need to have a substantial amount of funds (>$20,000) available (checking, savings, etc.) to me that are under my own name?

It may not necessarily be as simple as just needing to have a substantial amount of funds in your bank account. If you’re planning on using personal funds/bank statements, make sure the amount you intend to present isn’t a last minute money dump. The IO will most likely be looking at the transaction history of the account(s).

 

[jasperrrr.c]

@Sm1smom Noted, I'll pay attention to that.
Just to clarify, it's acceptable to not have the I-134 in my case, since I do not have a USC / PR to sponsor me?

Thank you again.

 

[Sm1smom]

@Sm1smom Noted, I'll pay attention to that.
Just to clarify, it's acceptable to not have the I-134 in my case, since I do not have a USC / PR to sponsor me?

Thank you again.

No, I did not say that. The IO makes that final determination if they’re convinced you’re unlikely to become a public charge.

 

[ishmog]

I'm in the process of completing the DS-260. In the last page, it's asking if I have ever applied for a Social Security number. I sent my OPT package two weeks ago and my application is currently being processed by USCIS. I should be getting my SSN once OPT is approved.

Am I answering this correctly or should I wait for OPT to be approved, obtain SSN and then submit DS-260?

 

[k924]

I maintain a permeant address in VA since I moved to the U.S, but I have been living in a different sate for over 2 years.
My question is since I will be done with school in the end of August and will most likely move back to VA and from the recent visa bulletin it looks like I will be current in June, should I use my VA address for the I485 instead? Also would it cause me any problems if say they respond to my application for interview while I am still living in PA?

of note, my driver's license is from VA as well as health insurance, but I used my PA address for the lottery application as well DS-260 form

Or is it an option to use the PA address and at the interview tell them I am done with school and moved back to VA (I read somewhere that you should not live at the time of interview in a different state that does not have the same jurisdiction as the interview field office)


Thank you in advance for your response!

 

[Sm1smom]

I'm in the process of completing the DS-260. In the last page, it's asking if I have ever applied for a Social Security number. I sent my OPT package two weeks ago and my application is currently being processed by USCIS. I should be getting my SSN once OPT is approved.

Am I answering this correctly or should I wait for OPT to be approved, obtain SSN and then submit DS-260?
View attachment 2320

Use your discretion. Whatever response you put in that section makes no difference. SSN doesn’t get processed for AOSers based on the DS260.

 

[Sm1smom]

I maintain a permeant address in VA since I moved to the U.S, but I have been living in a different sate for over 2 years.
My question is since I will be done with school in the end of August and will most likely move back to VA and from the recent visa bulletin it looks like I will be current in June, should I use my VA address for the I485 instead? Also would it cause me any problems if say they respond to my application for interview while I am still living in PA?

of note, my driver's license is from VA as well as health insurance, but I used my PA address for the lottery application as well DS-260 form

Or is it an option to use the PA address and at the interview tell them I am done with school and moved back to VA (I read somewhere that you should not live at the time of interview in a different state that does not have the same jurisdiction as the interview field office)


Thank you in advance for your response!

If VA is your permanent home address, then that’s what you should list under mailing address section. If you list your PA address and your interview is scheduled for after your departure from PA, the PA FO will need to transfer your case file o the VA FO as your address will no longer be under the PA FO’s jurisdiction.

 

[gg96]

We placed this inquiry over a phone, called USCIS and told that we believe that our dv lottery case is outside of our normal processing time. Also ask for a call from Tier 2. In a 5 days they sent email that our case is currently pending interview scheduling. After 3 weeks tier 2 called and when we asked her about bio, she told us that it was scheduled and mail sent to us 10 days ago and we will receive it shortly. In 2 days we received bio letters. Maybe our inquiry draw their attention to our case, Im not sure though.

Another challenge is how to speed up interview scheduling?

I think it depends on the FO. As far as I understand, my FO is waiting NBC to send our file to them to schedule an interview. It has been 2 months since I did bio and my file is still in NBC. I don’t know why it’s stuck there.

 

[raphael1899]

I think it depends on the FO. As far as I understand, my FO is waiting NBC to send our file to them to schedule an interview. It has been 2 months since I did bio and my file is still in NBC. I don’t know why it’s stuck there.

Did you request a biometrics appointment by calling or speaking to a tier 2 agent, or did USCIS schedule it for you in a timely manner?