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DV 2021 AOS Only

Dear Mom,

I just want to share some updates: I was going through timeline and realized that a fellow applicant from my FO, who filled 8 days after me, has already received his interview letter a week ago. I contacted USCIS to see if they have scheduled my bio/interview. The tier 1 agent said that my FO has categorized my application as family-based and the average processing time for that is 2 years. She also said that my expedite request 10 days ago was hence rejected. I told her that it is not correct and the whole processing time for DV based is 12 month. She was understanding and agreed to file a case inquiry on my behalf to my FO for wrongful categorization of my application. She was willing to file another expedite request but based on the discussion here, I wanted to wait a while and also see the outcome of this inquiry. So I declined but as it has been 6 weeks since the date on my NOA, I asked for a tier 2 call back to discuss my bio letter. She did that and said to mention the possible wrongful categorization of my application to the tier 2 as well.
Thanks for the update. Take a look at your NOA, what is the listed category on that notice?
 
NIV = Non-Immigrant Visa
POE = Port of Entry
They may review the information you provided when you applied for your visitor’s visa and/or when you were admitted into the US to see if you lied at any point in time.

The onus is on you to take anything and everything you think may be of help to your case when you go for your interview.

I honestly don’t think it’s a case of presenting a simple piece of paper/document to demonstrate one is eligible to be considered under the no fault provision. Like I previously stated, the IO will be looking at the totality of the circumstance. One other thing the IO will probably take into consideration is the likelihood of the filed asylum application being approved if it had been adjudicated a year or two ago. If it turns out to be an asylum application that cannot be approved, the no fault clause will not apply since being out of status retroactively applies to when your authorized stay expired 4 years ago in that case.
Thank you for your input mom.
 
Hi, Mom and everybody. So a few days ago I got my initial interview mail on my mailbox but my case status didn't update yet. It still says "fingerprint print was received ". And I guess it is not gonna update until my interview (07.27.2021). So my question is did they skip my biometric interview or my biometric and my interview will be on the same day?
And my another question is which documents should I take with myself? (I'm F1 student here on single status). Additionally, if anybody has any tip it is very welcomed. Thanks
 
Hi, Mom and everybody. So a few days ago I got my initial interview mail on my mailbox but my case status didn't update yet. It still says "fingerprint print was received ". And I guess it is not gonna update until my interview (07.27.2021). So my question is did they skip my biometric interview or my biometric and my interview will be on the same day?
And my another question is which documents should I take with myself? (I'm F1 student here on single status). Additionally, if anybody has any tip it is very welcomed. Thanks
Would you please share your timeline? This forum thrives on its members' participation. Tesekkurler!
 
Diversity Visa Program. So that means that tier 1 agent was giving wrong information?
Most likely yes - wrong info. It could also wrongly have been keyed in but rightly listed since your NOA shows the right category. Anyway, just wait for the Tier agent to call and verify.
 
Hi, Mom and everybody. So a few days ago I got my initial interview mail on my mailbox but my case status didn't update yet. It still says "fingerprint print was received ". And I guess it is not gonna update until my interview (07.27.2021). So my question is did they skip my biometric interview or my biometric and my interview will be on the same day?
And my another question is which documents should I take with myself? (I'm F1 student here on single status). Additionally, if anybody has any tip it is very welcomed. Thanks
1. Take a look at the FAQ tab of the AOS process spreadsheet regarding interview before bio.
2. Take a look at the Interview Tips tab of the AOS process spreadsheet
 
Hello everyone!
So I have a question about the public benefits and all that stuff. My university has been sending emails about how the government approved a new relief plan and I ignored them because international students never qualify... Apparently we do for this one, they just let us know; if I claim it, is this detrimental for this AOS application (or for any future immigration processes)? (like in terms of these public benefits we aren't supposed to take part into and all).
I want to make sure I do not put my AOS in danger by submitting the claim.

Thank you!!
 
Hello everyone!
So I have a question about the public benefits and all that stuff. My university has been sending emails about how the government approved a new relief plan and I ignored them because international students never qualify... Apparently we do for this one, they just let us know; if I claim it, is this detrimental for this AOS application (or for any future immigration processes)? (like in terms of these public benefits we aren't supposed to take part into and all).
I want to make sure I do not put my AOS in danger by submitting the claim.

Thank you!!
What is this new relief plan? I work in an international students' office and I have not heard of any such plan. Do some research to make sure what it is and what it means for an international student to submit the claim.

Personally, at this point in the FY, I wouldn't try anything new not knowing what the outcome will be. One way or another, your AOS journey will end in less than 3 months. Unless you are 100% sure that qualify and apply for this new plan does not jeopardize your AOS application, just wait until you have secured your new status.
 
What is this new relief plan? I work in an international students' office and I have not heard of any such plan. Do some research to make sure what it is and what it means for an international student to submit the claim.

Personally, at this point in the FY, I wouldn't try anything new not knowing what the outcome will be. One way or another, your AOS journey will end in less than 3 months. Unless you are 100% sure that qualify and apply for this new plan does not jeopardize your AOS application, just wait until you have secured your new status.
So it is something called the CARES act, which I think might have been what the stimulus checks fell under, and this is the email I got from the international students office.

"You received an email from the Financial Aid office concerning an application to possibly receive CARES Act funding last week.

We are happy to say the United States Federal government has extended some CARES funding to international students. This is, officially, the first time ALL F-1 international students have qualified for any funding coming from the US Government."

(The original email they are referring to is this one:

"The university has received a third round of COVID relief funds through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

These funds are reserved to provide students with financial aid grants, which may be used for any component of the student's cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or childcare.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Students must be enrolled during the Summer 2021 semester.
  • Both U.S. citizens and non-citizens may be eligible for these funds.")


So since I am not sure if this affects the AOS or not, or future procedures, because I am legitimate dumb when it comes to this sort of stuff, I was wondering if anyone here might know.
 
So it is something called the CARES act, which I think might have been what the stimulus checks fell under, and this is the email I got from the international students office.

"You received an email from the Financial Aid office concerning an application to possibly receive CARES Act funding last week.

We are happy to say the United States Federal government has extended some CARES funding to international students. This is, officially, the first time ALL F-1 international students have qualified for any funding coming from the US Government."

(The original email they are referring to is this one:

"The university has received a third round of COVID relief funds through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

These funds are reserved to provide students with financial aid grants, which may be used for any component of the student's cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or childcare.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Students must be enrolled during the Summer 2021 semester.
  • Both U.S. citizens and non-citizens may be eligible for these funds.")


So since I am not sure if this affects the AOS or not, or future procedures, because I am legitimate dumb when it comes to this sort of stuff, I was wondering if anyone here might know.

If this is the stimulus check that is now available to you as an international student, then you are fine.
 
Hi mom.
we have received NOA finally today!
however, I noticed one problem which I kind of knew after the submission of my AOS package.

My NOA has my first and last name on the opposite section, which I believe indicates how they enter my info in the system.

This is due to my errors where I put my last and first name in the opposite way ( my first name went to last name section and vice versa for last name) for only 2 sections in total.
1) G1145
2) Very first section of I-485

the rest is correct and have also included copy of passports & other documents etc to show my correct name.
Is this going to be an issue? Do I need to do something to correct it now or can it wait until the bio or interview date? ( but if the biometrics letter also has the same wrong name, would that be an issue because technically it does not match with my ID?)
 
If this is the stimulus check that is now available to you as an international student, then you are fine.
That is what I understood, if it’s open for everyone then it should not bear any negative consequences but like you mentioned earlier, it’d be a nightmare to lose the AOS bc of this
 
Hi mom.
we have received NOA finally today!
however, I noticed one problem which I kind of knew after the submission of my AOS package.

My NOA has my first and last name on the opposite section, which I believe indicates how they enter my info in the system.

This is due to my errors where I put my last and first name in the opposite way ( my first name went to last name section and vice versa for last name) for only 2 sections in total.
1) G1145
2) Very first section of I-485

the rest is correct and have also included copy of passports & other documents etc to show my correct name.
Is this going to be an issue? Do I need to do something to correct it now or can it wait until the bio or interview date? ( but if the biometrics letter also has the same wrong name, would that be an issue because technically it does not match with my ID?)
Your name gets entered into the system based on the way you listed it on the I-485 - the Chicago Lockbox folks do not cross with how it is on your passport or any other document you’ve submitted. Your bio notice will show up with the names swapped (as listed on your I-485). When you go for your bio, (the swapped name will not stop them from admitting you), you however need to point out the swapped names to the technician to ensure your background check gets run with both the correct format and the swapped version. Your IL will also have the swapped name listed, (the bio technician cannot update the name), you’ll inform the IO of the swapped names when you go in for your interview the IO will make the corrections at that point to ensure your name is correctly listed on your GC when it gets issued.

Fingers crossed you don’t get approved without an interview, because if that were to happen, the GC will show up with the swapped name. You’ll have to file and pay for a replacement card in that case.
 
That is what I understood, if it’s open for everyone then it should not bear any negative consequences but like you mentioned earlier, it’d be a nightmare to lose the AOS bc of this
That's why you want to make sure you are not getting something you are not eligible to receive. I believe there was a member here who had to start a payment plan with the IRS because they received the stimulus check and were not eligible.
 
I just got my interview letter, at last. It's on August 2nd. For some reason it didn't show in informed delivery. I still have no bio letter though.

I already started a request with my representative, and I got a response from her office today saying they have contacted USICS about it. But the letter is dated July 1st so it looks like it had nothing to do with the inquiry. I asked them to help with both appointments.

I kind of think I should ask my rep's office to keep pressing on the bio letter rather than dropping the whole thing. Is that a good idea? I noticed that the other person who got an interview for Indianapolis also didn't get a bio letter.
 
That's why you want to make sure you are not getting something you are not eligible to receive. I believe there was a member here who had to start a payment plan with the IRS because they received the stimulus check and were not eligible.
So apparently they submitted my application on my behalf since they claim I am elegible... Now I am panicking this might cause me trouble.

@Sm1smom Are you familiar with this kind of issue?
 
Hi, happy Friday to everyone!

I have a question about accepting time of my package, it was delivered on 06/18 and signed for by Chyba, but hasn’t got any news from USCIS while seeing at least 3 cases with later “delivery date” already got their acceptance SMSs and checks cached and overall it looks like current acceptance time is about 12-18 days. So I started to worry about the package is still not accepted.

Does somebody know is there any way to speed up this step or check that everything is ok with it?

Forms were signed, personal checks added, etc.
 
Hello Mom,
Recently, my 2020 tex refund was processed. I received my refund as well as the stimulus check for myself and my two USC children (automatically). You might recall that I discussed it with my tax preparer, he is confident that my tax was filed correctly. I am sorry if it is a repeated question. Do I need to call IRS and refund the amount?
Thank you very much.
 
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