DV 2021 AOS Only

[iamnotarobot]

Congratulations! May I ask if you were one of the people who had to call to schedule your biometrics appointment or if you just got an appointment notice in the mail?

@raphael1899 Both my wife and I got our bio appointments by mail. The only difference is that she got it before the Interview Appointment letter and I've got it after that. I was actually a bit confused that I've got the interview notice without the biometrics appointment, so I called the USCIS call center and they told me that the Tier 2 agent will get in touch with me. By the time the agent called me back I've already received the bio appointment letter.

 

[raphael1899]

@raphael1899 Both my wife and I got our bio appointments by mail. The only difference is that she got it before the Interview Appointment letter and I've got it after that. I was actually a bit confused that I've got the interview notice without the biometrics appointment, so I called the USCIS call center and they told me that the Tier 2 agent will get in touch with me. By the time the agent called me back I've already received the bio appointment letter.

Thank you for your reply! And congrats again!

 

[Generous]

Hi,

I`m an F1 student and my case number is 38xxx. I haven`t submitted anything yet as I feel that the queue is going slower than in previous years. So my question is about DS-260. I see that many people mentioned that it`s recommended but not necessary to submit, so how did you end up with this position? I`m asking this because I`m trying to evaluate my risks related to not sending DS 260 on time. Is there any data that shows that people who didn`t fill DS 260 were invited fewer times than those who submitted DS 260? And what would be your recommendation in terms of timing, If, for example, my number becomes current in 2 months - do I have enough time to finish the whole process (DS 260, I-445, etc)? Thank you very much, your support is priceless.

 

[raphael1899]

Hi,

I`m an F1 student and my case number is 38xxx. I haven`t submitted anything yet as I feel that the queue is going slower than in previous years. So my question is about DS-260. I see that many people mentioned that it`s recommended but not necessary to submit, so how did you end up with this position? I`m asking this because I`m trying to evaluate my risks related to not sending DS 260 on time. Is there any data that shows that people who didn`t fill DS 260 were invited fewer times than those who submitted DS 260? And what would be your recommendation in terms of timing, If, for example, my number becomes current in 2 months - do I have enough time to finish the whole process (DS 260, I-445, etc)? Thank you very much, your support is priceless.

Are you currently in the US as an F1 student? As far as I know, DS 260 is only for people outside the US doing CP, but if you are in the US you have to go through AOS, which is I-485.

 

[Sm1smom]

Hi,

I`m an F1 student and my case number is 38xxx. I haven`t submitted anything yet as I feel that the queue is going slower than in previous years. So my question is about DS-260. I see that many people mentioned that it`s recommended but not necessary to submit, so how did you end up with this position? I`m asking this because I`m trying to evaluate my risks related to not sending DS 260 on time. Is there any data that shows that people who didn`t fill DS 260 were invited fewer times than those who submitted DS 260? And what would be your recommendation in terms of timing, If, for example, my number becomes current in 2 months - do I have enough time to finish the whole process (DS 260, I-445, etc)? Thank you very much, your support is priceless.

1. “I see that many people mentioned that it`s recommended but not necessary to submit, so how did you end up with this position?”

Please see the FAQ section of the AOS process spreadsheet to see some of the reasons for why this is recommended.​

2. “Is there any data that shows that people who didn`t fill DS 260 were invited fewer times than those who submitted DS 260?”

Do you really think we will be saying submitting the DS260 is recommended and not required if non-submission can lead to such a grave consequence?”​

3. “And what would be your recommendation in terms of timing, If, for example, my number becomes current in 2 months - do I have enough time to finish the whole process (DS 260, I-445, etc)”

There are several factors involved with successfully completing the process, one of which is one’s background check completion. Chargeability country can also play a role. Nonetheless, we’ve had selectees whose CNs became current in September and they successfully completed the process.​

​

p.s. for future postings, do number your questions if you have more than one in a post.

 

[Sm1smom]

Are you currently in the US as an F1 student? As far as I know, DS 260 is only for people outside the US doing CP, but if you are in the US you have to go through AOS, which is I-485.

An AOSer may also submit the DS260, it is not for CPers only. The first question on the form requires for one to indicate if process AOS or CP.

 

[raphael1899]

An AOSer may also submit the DS260, it is not for CPers only. The first question on the form requires for one to indicate if process AOS or CP.

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to suggest the wrong information. Thank you for clarifying.

 

[Sm1smom]

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to suggest the wrong information. Thank you for clarifying.

No worries. We all make mistakes, that is why I needed to set the record straight. And thank you for the efforts you’ve been making at answering questions and supporting your fellow selectees.

 

[zeroboy]

I think you'll get it in the mail soon if they just scheduled it. I'm in Boston too. May I ask how long ago you filed your application and when did you receive your biometrics appointment notice? I'm waiting for my biometrics notice and have no idea how long it's going to be. Thanks.

Hopefully, You can find it in the timeline.

I filed in October and did the biometrics in December.

 

[ausdoughnuts]

Hi Mom, I am putting together my Household income for I-944 and will be filing my taxes for 2020 this week. I will not have a 2020 tax transcript when I file my forms due to acceptance/ turnaround time.

Can I put my 2020 taxes on this document and provide my tax return and W2 (without tax transcript)? OR should I put 2019 taxes on I-944 with the tax transcript? Reason for wanting to put 2020 is because my income is far higher than it was in 2019, but if it's safer to do 2019 I will go that route.
Thanks for all your help!

 

[Sm1smom]

Hi Mom, I am putting together my Household income for I-944 and will be filing my taxes for 2020 this week. I will not have a 2020 tax transcript when I file my forms due to acceptance/ turnaround time.

Can I put my 2020 taxes on this document and provide my tax return and W2 (without tax transcript)? OR should I put 2019 taxes on I-944 with the tax transcript? Reason for wanting to put 2020 is because my income is far higher than it was in 2019, but if it's safer to do 2019 I will go that route.
Thanks for all your help!

You can do option 1, and plan on presenting 2020 Tax Transcripts when you go for the interview.

 

[Milz]

Hi Mom, I am putting together my Household income for I-944 and will be filing my taxes for 2020 this week. I will not have a 2020 tax transcript when I file my forms due to acceptance/ turnaround time.

Can I put my 2020 taxes on this document and provide my tax return and W2 (without tax transcript)? OR should I put 2019 taxes on I-944 with the tax transcript? Reason for wanting to put 2020 is because my income is far higher than it was in 2019, but if it's safer to do 2019 I will go that route.
Thanks for all your help!

I-944 Instruction (page 6, first paragraph):

If you are filing Form I-944 between January 1 and April 15 of any year, and you and/or your household members have
not yet filed the current year’s federal income tax return, submit IRS transcripts for the most recent tax year. At the time
of interview on your application, an officer may request the tax return transcripts for the current tax year. Submit any tax
transcripts for any income taxes that you or your household members filed with any foreign government if you or your
household members were residing outside of the United States during any time within the most recent tax year and you
were not required to file a federal individual income tax return with the United States government.

 

[DV21M]

I-944 Instruction (page 6, first paragraph):

If you are filing Form I-944 between January 1 and April 15 of any year, and you and/or your household members have
not yet filed the current year’s federal income tax return, submit IRS transcripts for the most recent tax year. At the time
of interview on your application, an officer may request the tax return transcripts for the current tax year. Submit any tax
transcripts for any income taxes that you or your household members filed with any foreign government if you or your
household members were residing outside of the United States during any time within the most recent tax year and you
were not required to file a federal individual income tax return with the United States government.

What if you don't have IRS transcripts for the recent years or this year for this matter?

 

[Milz]

What if you don't have IRS transcripts for the recent years or this year for this matter?

Well, I'm assuming as long as you're employed and have any sort of income (W-2), you should've filed income taxes (and have records of transcripts on IRS website) for recent years!
@Sm1smom should know that better!

 

[zeroboy]

Actually I have tried to get the 2019 tax transcripts but I couldn't.

I tried online, mail, phone and 4056 form but nothing. (once or twice a week)

I will definitely try more but I hope it wouldn't be a serious issue in the interview.

 

[DV21M]

Well, I'm assuming as long as you're employed and have any sort of income (W-2), you should've filed income taxes (and have records of transcripts on IRS website) for recent years!
@Sm1smom should know that better!

I am an F1 student so I don't have taxes filed yet, as I just began my program. The only taxes I have filed are from 2016 and 2017 when I was an Au Pair. But those might go too far back to be of any use

 

[FORESTWOOD]

Hi @HappyDV2021, sure.

Our interview was scheduled on 02/03/2021 in the New York USCIS office. My wife and I were already on our way to the interview when my wife got a call from the USCIS officer stating that her interview will be rescheduled because of some hiccups caused by the 2-day snowstorm just before. Since we were already on our way and I (the main applicant) didn't get any calls we decided to get there and find out what's happening (it's also stated on the interview appointment letter that failure to attend the interview will result in automatic case denial, so we wanted to double check the rescheduling in person).
We arrived to the USCIS office right on time and registered with our appointment letters (we tried to ask about the rescheduling at each checkpoint but we were told to go further). We received a ticket for the line and waited for someone to call us in. Eventually, after about 1h of waiting we were invited to the interview. The interview itself was nothing special – we took an oath and the officer asked us some basic questions from our I-485 forms (biographic information and all the "NO" questions from the end of the form). Then he also updated our address (we moved right after we sent the I-485 and we sent the Change of Address request, but apparently it didn't work as well as expected) and told us that he still needed to do some paperwork, but overall everything looked good, so we can expect to get the status updates soon.

Overall, it looked much more relaxed compared to the regular visa interview. If you have any other specific questions feel free to ask.

Hi @HappyDV2021, sure.

Our interview was scheduled on 02/03/2021 in the New York USCIS office. My wife and I were already on our way to the interview when my wife got a call from the USCIS officer stating that her interview will be rescheduled because of some hiccups caused by the 2-day snowstorm just before. Since we were already on our way and I (the main applicant) didn't get any calls we decided to get there and find out what's happening (it's also stated on the interview appointment letter that failure to attend the interview will result in automatic case denial, so we wanted to double check the rescheduling in person).
We arrived to the USCIS office right on time and registered with our appointment letters (we tried to ask about the rescheduling at each checkpoint but we were told to go further). We received a ticket for the line and waited for someone to call us in. Eventually, after about 1h of waiting we were invited to the interview. The interview itself was nothing special – we took an oath and the officer asked us some basic questions from our I-485 forms (biographic information and all the "NO" questions from the end of the form). Then he also updated our address (we moved right after we sent the I-485 and we sent the Change of Address request, but apparently it didn't work as well as expected) and told us that he still needed to do some paperwork, but overall everything looked good, so we can expect to get the status updates soon.

Overall, it looked much more relaxed compared to the regular visa interview. If you have any other specific questions feel free to ask.

Hello, @iamnotarobot

Thank you for sharing your experience. I am a 2021 winner, case 2021 EU 2*** and my case has just become current for March. However I am still in New York on an O1visa and am getting worried that I won't be able to receive an interview date in time for the September deadline (or make it back to the US) before green cards are being issued again. Therefore I am considering moving to an AOS application and would like to know how your entire experience was; from the moment your case became current till the day you received your GC? How long did it take in total? Did you send out your documents the moment, your case became current? Did you switch from a consular to an AOS process or immediately started with an AOS?

Thank you!

 

[iamnotarobot]

Hello, @iamnotarobot

Thank you for sharing your experience. I am a 2021 winner, case 2021 EU 2*** and my case has just become current for March. However I am still in New York on an O1visa and am getting worried that I won't be able to receive an interview date in time for the September deadline (or make it back to the US) before green cards are being issued again. Therefore I am considering moving to an AOS application and would like to know how your entire experience was; from the moment your case became current till the day you received your GC? How long did it take in total? Did you send out your documents the moment, your case became current? Did you switch from a consular to an AOS process or immediately started with an AOS?

Thank you!

Hi @FORESTWOOD,

You can check the exact timelines in the spreadsheet (check out the first page for a link).
I'm on L visa, so I haven't even considered doing a CP because it wasn't convenient for me. As for the documents, I became current in October so I decided not to do an early filing, since the new fiscal year also starts in October. Otherwise I would definitely exercised the right to do an early filing, but of course that's just my personal preference and I heard that it can rarely lead to the application being rejected.

Also, field offices are aware that DV based AOS is time sensitive, so usually they try to expedite the resolution of these cases, but there's always a risk.

 

[DV21M]

Hello, @iamnotarobot

Thank you for sharing your experience. I am a 2021 winner, case 2021 EU 2*** and my case has just become current for March. However I am still in New York on an O1visa and am getting worried that I won't be able to receive an interview date in time for the September deadline (or make it back to the US) before green cards are being issued again. Therefore I am considering moving to an AOS application and would like to know how your entire experience was; from the moment your case became current till the day you received your GC? How long did it take in total? Did you send out your documents the moment, your case became current? Did you switch from a consular to an AOS process or immediately started with an AOS?

Thank you!

I am in a very similar situation and considering AOS too but I am waiting a couple more months to make the decision, my number is EU6*** and it became current a few months ago, yours is in the 2K or 20K?

 

[zeroboy]

Dear @Sm1smom ,

My wife got interview notice today, but I (principal applicant) haven't got mine.

Probably nothing is wrong, right?

Also in the notice it says " initial interview",
Is it normal also?