Yes, I have and that is why it is so confusing to me. Either way, thank you for your time and help!
DV 2022 AOS (Adjustment of Status) Only
- Thread starter Sm1smom
- Start date
Hello all,
Today, my wife's case and mine are changed to "new card is being produced", meaning our interview is waived. I want to thank you all, especially @Sm1smom for your help. I will update the spreadsheet to help those that are still waiting.
I am from a sanctioned country, so I did not expect any waivers on my interview. It seems like preloading works!
Best wishes to you!
Today, my wife's case and mine are changed to "new card is being produced", meaning our interview is waived. I want to thank you all, especially @Sm1smom for your help. I will update the spreadsheet to help those that are still waiting.
I am from a sanctioned country, so I did not expect any waivers on my interview. It seems like preloading works!
Best wishes to you!
Last edited:
Sm1smom
Super Moderator
That’s great. Congratulations.
Sm1smom
Super Moderator
Can you update your timeline on the Timeline Spreadsheet?
AustrAlien
Member
Hi everyone!
I wanted to say a BIG thank you to everyone here (in particular to the Super Mods, contributors, and everyone who diligently updated the spreadsheet).
Great news - I had my interview at 8am today, and at 7pm my status was changed to "New Card Being Produced". I think (hope) this means I'm in the clear now!
I didn't need to ask any questions along the way, because everything here was so detailed and well-thought-out. But I wanted to pay it forward and contribute my share of the data for anyone it might help. (I've also updated the spreadsheet!).
Please feel free to ask any questions - happy to answer and help however I can! And sorry in advance for the lengthy writeup, I want to be as detailed as possible.
Details:
Australian E3 --> AOS DV
FO: New York, NY
Lockbox: Chicago, IL
Payment Method: Money Order
Month Current: June 2022
AOS pack sent: 30th June
Bio: 08th August
Interview: 23rd August (8am)
Card Being Produced Status: 23rd August (7pm)
Travel Authorisation: Received (still pending)
I made a few key mistakes:
1. Paperwork sent way too early (see below)
2. Submitted my DS-260 way ahead of time (see below)
3. Used Google Authenticator for my online 2FA (see below)
The first 2 mistakes were made before I found this forum and the resources it provides. I wish I'd found it earlier, but the good news is it doesn't seem to have hurt my application in the end (gratefully).
DS-260: I submitted my DS-260 the day I received my KCC notification, and spent the next ~18 months incredibly stressed about it once I learned more. If you're reading this for 2023 and beyond, DON'T do this. I followed the instructions in the links that were sent, and I'm sure I've shaved a few years off my life with the stress it caused me.
Paperwork: Sent in 2021, and again in June 2022. I actually misread the original notification and thought I was meant to apply in 2021. Whoops! They kindly sent it back to me with a letter stating I was a year early, and to include their letter on the top of my package when I resubmit after my number becomes current in 2022.
My AOS pack was extremely detailed, it had sections with colour-coded tabs, and I put a lot of time and effort into trying to make it as organised and easy as possible for anyone receiving it to find exactly what they needed. I also included some extra stuff in the hopes that I'd front-load my data and skip the interview at a later date (no such luck).
Medical: Your medical is valid for 2 years after being issued. So I kept the one I did back in 2021 when accidentally submitting early. This is worth noting because they changed the medical form in 2022 to include Covid vaccines. This was not an issue for me, however, as I was able to show my Covid vaccination proof on the spot.
Payments: I sent everything via money order, which was great because I could see when it was cashed. I also had to break up my payments as the max you can send via a single money order is $1,000.00 USD. I didn't know if this would be a problem (the AOS fee is $1,140), but I made sure this was detailed in my pack and it seems it wasn't a problem.
Online account: Okay so, here was my biggest stressor for a little while until I figured it out. I set up my online account in June of 2021 using Google Authenticator, and in August of 2021 my phone suffered severe water damage and couldn't be turned on again. For those who don't know, Google Authenticator is ONLY stored locally (e.g. not on the cloud), and my backup codes were also saved locally to my phone. Even the PDF that you get with your 2FA codes was only saved to the files/downloads folder on the phone itself. So I knew my email and password, but couldn't authenticate once I got a new phone. USCIS was absolutely no help whatsoever in resetting the code. Do NOT use a locally stored authentication method; instead use text, email, or something like Authy to authenticate. If you DO use a locally stored 2FA, save the back up codes to another device. If it's too late for you, and you're reading this now after your phone has also taken a swim, there are two workarounds (both worked for me):
1. If you have the receipt number for your case, you can search it on the USCIS case status page.
2. Alternatively, you can create a new account with a new email and password, and link a previously linked receipt number. So don't panic (like I did!).
The good news is, every update came quickly in the mail. So not too much lost in that regard.
Okay, onto the fun stuff:
Bio appointment: NY office - entrance is easy enough to find. Look for the hanging American flags. Not much to report here other than you should really get there at your timeslot, and not more than 5 mins earlier or they'll send you away. I arrived only 15 mins early and was turned away until 5 mins before my appointment. Once they let you in, you'll go through security (similar to an airport). Then you'll head upstairs and given a ticket number. They'll call you up when they're ready, ask you for your ID and your appointment letter. They'll ask you to sanitise your hands, 10-print you, and take your pic. Then you get to fill out a customer satisfaction survey and leave. Whole thing took ~30 mins door to door, and the appointment was only 5 mins of that. No questions asked in this part, and the staff were really nice.
AOS interview: NY office - enter on the Lafayette side. My appointment was at 8am, I arrived at 7:30 and saw a queue of hundreds of people. I thought I'd have to wait in this queue, but it seems this is for walk-ins. If you have an appointment, ignore this line and do not join it. Head up to the security guys and let them know what time your appointment is and they'll send you right to security. They will ask you to wait until 10 mins before your appointment. So keep that in mind. Security is once again airport style, then you head upstairs. They ask you to check in, and it's similar to the DHS process when you enter the US. They have the camera for facial recognition, and they take your index finger prints. Then they give you a ticket number and tell you to wait.
I noticed that everyone being called was being called by their full names, so I was listening for mine. If they give you a ticket number, they'll call that, not your name. I was led to a room out the back (not the main area) to do my interview. Totally enclosed office, which was nice.
You'll be asked to turn off your phone before the interview. They'll ask you to swear an oath to tell the truth, whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Then they ask you a series of questions - nothing too crazy here, mostly just generic stuff like when you last entered the US, your employment history, if you've ever overstayed a visa or lied about a visa app, etc. and then the yes/no questions you answered on the I-485.
At the end, my interviewer said I'll need to pass a background check, but she would be recommending me for approval. She also said pretty positive things like "WHEN you get your greencard" and talked about keeping my address current so I didn't "miss the card", and the future of "applying for citizenship", etc. I felt pretty good leaving the interview, but she didn't say that it was approved, nor did I leave with a visa stamp in my passport.
According to the clock on the wall, the interview started at 8:20am, and I was on my way home by 8:40am.
After that, I frantically checked for updates all day like a crazy person, and at 7pm it updated to say my card was being produced. I am surprised it updated on the same day, but I'm really grateful for it.
Now to frantically check the mailbox like a crazy person...
I owe the absolute world to this community, so if you have any questions, please let me know!
I wanted to say a BIG thank you to everyone here (in particular to the Super Mods, contributors, and everyone who diligently updated the spreadsheet).
Great news - I had my interview at 8am today, and at 7pm my status was changed to "New Card Being Produced". I think (hope) this means I'm in the clear now!
I didn't need to ask any questions along the way, because everything here was so detailed and well-thought-out. But I wanted to pay it forward and contribute my share of the data for anyone it might help. (I've also updated the spreadsheet!).
Please feel free to ask any questions - happy to answer and help however I can! And sorry in advance for the lengthy writeup, I want to be as detailed as possible.
Details:
Australian E3 --> AOS DV
FO: New York, NY
Lockbox: Chicago, IL
Payment Method: Money Order
Month Current: June 2022
AOS pack sent: 30th June
Bio: 08th August
Interview: 23rd August (8am)
Card Being Produced Status: 23rd August (7pm)
Travel Authorisation: Received (still pending)
I made a few key mistakes:
1. Paperwork sent way too early (see below)
2. Submitted my DS-260 way ahead of time (see below)
3. Used Google Authenticator for my online 2FA (see below)
The first 2 mistakes were made before I found this forum and the resources it provides. I wish I'd found it earlier, but the good news is it doesn't seem to have hurt my application in the end (gratefully).
DS-260: I submitted my DS-260 the day I received my KCC notification, and spent the next ~18 months incredibly stressed about it once I learned more. If you're reading this for 2023 and beyond, DON'T do this. I followed the instructions in the links that were sent, and I'm sure I've shaved a few years off my life with the stress it caused me.
Paperwork: Sent in 2021, and again in June 2022. I actually misread the original notification and thought I was meant to apply in 2021. Whoops! They kindly sent it back to me with a letter stating I was a year early, and to include their letter on the top of my package when I resubmit after my number becomes current in 2022.
My AOS pack was extremely detailed, it had sections with colour-coded tabs, and I put a lot of time and effort into trying to make it as organised and easy as possible for anyone receiving it to find exactly what they needed. I also included some extra stuff in the hopes that I'd front-load my data and skip the interview at a later date (no such luck).
Medical: Your medical is valid for 2 years after being issued. So I kept the one I did back in 2021 when accidentally submitting early. This is worth noting because they changed the medical form in 2022 to include Covid vaccines. This was not an issue for me, however, as I was able to show my Covid vaccination proof on the spot.
Payments: I sent everything via money order, which was great because I could see when it was cashed. I also had to break up my payments as the max you can send via a single money order is $1,000.00 USD. I didn't know if this would be a problem (the AOS fee is $1,140), but I made sure this was detailed in my pack and it seems it wasn't a problem.
Online account: Okay so, here was my biggest stressor for a little while until I figured it out. I set up my online account in June of 2021 using Google Authenticator, and in August of 2021 my phone suffered severe water damage and couldn't be turned on again. For those who don't know, Google Authenticator is ONLY stored locally (e.g. not on the cloud), and my backup codes were also saved locally to my phone. Even the PDF that you get with your 2FA codes was only saved to the files/downloads folder on the phone itself. So I knew my email and password, but couldn't authenticate once I got a new phone. USCIS was absolutely no help whatsoever in resetting the code. Do NOT use a locally stored authentication method; instead use text, email, or something like Authy to authenticate. If you DO use a locally stored 2FA, save the back up codes to another device. If it's too late for you, and you're reading this now after your phone has also taken a swim, there are two workarounds (both worked for me):
1. If you have the receipt number for your case, you can search it on the USCIS case status page.
2. Alternatively, you can create a new account with a new email and password, and link a previously linked receipt number. So don't panic (like I did!).
The good news is, every update came quickly in the mail. So not too much lost in that regard.
Okay, onto the fun stuff:
Bio appointment: NY office - entrance is easy enough to find. Look for the hanging American flags. Not much to report here other than you should really get there at your timeslot, and not more than 5 mins earlier or they'll send you away. I arrived only 15 mins early and was turned away until 5 mins before my appointment. Once they let you in, you'll go through security (similar to an airport). Then you'll head upstairs and given a ticket number. They'll call you up when they're ready, ask you for your ID and your appointment letter. They'll ask you to sanitise your hands, 10-print you, and take your pic. Then you get to fill out a customer satisfaction survey and leave. Whole thing took ~30 mins door to door, and the appointment was only 5 mins of that. No questions asked in this part, and the staff were really nice.
AOS interview: NY office - enter on the Lafayette side. My appointment was at 8am, I arrived at 7:30 and saw a queue of hundreds of people. I thought I'd have to wait in this queue, but it seems this is for walk-ins. If you have an appointment, ignore this line and do not join it. Head up to the security guys and let them know what time your appointment is and they'll send you right to security. They will ask you to wait until 10 mins before your appointment. So keep that in mind. Security is once again airport style, then you head upstairs. They ask you to check in, and it's similar to the DHS process when you enter the US. They have the camera for facial recognition, and they take your index finger prints. Then they give you a ticket number and tell you to wait.
I noticed that everyone being called was being called by their full names, so I was listening for mine. If they give you a ticket number, they'll call that, not your name. I was led to a room out the back (not the main area) to do my interview. Totally enclosed office, which was nice.
You'll be asked to turn off your phone before the interview. They'll ask you to swear an oath to tell the truth, whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Then they ask you a series of questions - nothing too crazy here, mostly just generic stuff like when you last entered the US, your employment history, if you've ever overstayed a visa or lied about a visa app, etc. and then the yes/no questions you answered on the I-485.
At the end, my interviewer said I'll need to pass a background check, but she would be recommending me for approval. She also said pretty positive things like "WHEN you get your greencard" and talked about keeping my address current so I didn't "miss the card", and the future of "applying for citizenship", etc. I felt pretty good leaving the interview, but she didn't say that it was approved, nor did I leave with a visa stamp in my passport.
According to the clock on the wall, the interview started at 8:20am, and I was on my way home by 8:40am.
After that, I frantically checked for updates all day like a crazy person, and at 7pm it updated to say my card was being produced. I am surprised it updated on the same day, but I'm really grateful for it.
Now to frantically check the mailbox like a crazy person...
I owe the absolute world to this community, so if you have any questions, please let me know!
Thanks much
What time would it be appropriate to seek help from Ombudsman for an inquiry? Is it tier 1, congressperson and Ombudsman in sequence?AustrAlien
Member
Congratulations!! We're E3 NYC twins! I want to personally thank you for keeping the sheet updated as you went; your case was really helpful to me in particular. Wishing you all the best, and happy to shout you a celebratory beer at some point as well!
Hi all. I still haven’t heard any news about my case since my bio on 7/14. It’s been about 40 days with no update. I already contacted congressman 2 weeks ago and the reply they got from USCIS is that my case is currently pending at my FO and under review. Not sure what else I can do at this point other than keep waiting?
Blade_
Well-Known Member
Ombudsman is usually the last resort.Thanks much
Blade_
Well-Known Member
Congrats! Always happy to hear Card Production news, especially from fellow Aussies!Hi everyone!
I wanted to say a BIG thank you to everyone here (in particular to the Super Mods, contributors, and everyone who diligently updated the spreadsheet).
Great news - I had my interview at 8am today, and at 7pm my status was changed to "New Card Being Produced". I think (hope) this means I'm in the clear now!
I didn't need to ask any questions along the way, because everything here was so detailed and well-thought-out. But I wanted to pay it forward and contribute my share of the data for anyone it might help. (I've also updated the spreadsheet!).
Please feel free to ask any questions - happy to answer and help however I can! And sorry in advance for the lengthy writeup, I want to be as detailed as possible.
Details:
Australian E3 --> AOS DV
FO: New York, NY
Lockbox: Chicago, IL
Payment Method: Money Order
Month Current: June 2022
AOS pack sent: 30th June
Bio: 08th August
Interview: 23rd August (8am)
Card Being Produced Status: 23rd August (7pm)
Travel Authorisation: Received (still pending)
I made a few key mistakes:
1. Paperwork sent way too early (see below)
2. Submitted my DS-260 way ahead of time (see below)
3. Used Google Authenticator for my online 2FA (see below)
The first 2 mistakes were made before I found this forum and the resources it provides. I wish I'd found it earlier, but the good news is it doesn't seem to have hurt my application in the end (gratefully).
DS-260: I submitted my DS-260 the day I received my KCC notification, and spent the next ~18 months incredibly stressed about it once I learned more. If you're reading this for 2023 and beyond, DON'T do this. I followed the instructions in the links that were sent, and I'm sure I've shaved a few years off my life with the stress it caused me.
Paperwork: Sent in 2021, and again in June 2022. I actually misread the original notification and thought I was meant to apply in 2021. Whoops! They kindly sent it back to me with a letter stating I was a year early, and to include their letter on the top of my package when I resubmit after my number becomes current in 2022.
My AOS pack was extremely detailed, it had sections with colour-coded tabs, and I put a lot of time and effort into trying to make it as organised and easy as possible for anyone receiving it to find exactly what they needed. I also included some extra stuff in the hopes that I'd front-load my data and skip the interview at a later date (no such luck).
Medical: Your medical is valid for 2 years after being issued. So I kept the one I did back in 2021 when accidentally submitting early. This is worth noting because they changed the medical form in 2022 to include Covid vaccines. This was not an issue for me, however, as I was able to show my Covid vaccination proof on the spot.
Payments: I sent everything via money order, which was great because I could see when it was cashed. I also had to break up my payments as the max you can send via a single money order is $1,000.00 USD. I didn't know if this would be a problem (the AOS fee is $1,140), but I made sure this was detailed in my pack and it seems it wasn't a problem.
Online account: Okay so, here was my biggest stressor for a little while until I figured it out. I set up my online account in June of 2021 using Google Authenticator, and in August of 2021 my phone suffered severe water damage and couldn't be turned on again. For those who don't know, Google Authenticator is ONLY stored locally (e.g. not on the cloud), and my backup codes were also saved locally to my phone. Even the PDF that you get with your 2FA codes was only saved to the files/downloads folder on the phone itself. So I knew my email and password, but couldn't authenticate once I got a new phone. USCIS was absolutely no help whatsoever in resetting the code. Do NOT use a locally stored authentication method; instead use text, email, or something like Authy to authenticate. If you DO use a locally stored 2FA, save the back up codes to another device. If it's too late for you, and you're reading this now after your phone has also taken a swim, there are two workarounds (both worked for me):
1. If you have the receipt number for your case, you can search it on the USCIS case status page.
2. Alternatively, you can create a new account with a new email and password, and link a previously linked receipt number. So don't panic (like I did!).
The good news is, every update came quickly in the mail. So not too much lost in that regard.
Okay, onto the fun stuff:
Bio appointment: NY office - entrance is easy enough to find. Look for the hanging American flags. Not much to report here other than you should really get there at your timeslot, and not more than 5 mins earlier or they'll send you away. I arrived only 15 mins early and was turned away until 5 mins before my appointment. Once they let you in, you'll go through security (similar to an airport). Then you'll head upstairs and given a ticket number. They'll call you up when they're ready, ask you for your ID and your appointment letter. They'll ask you to sanitise your hands, 10-print you, and take your pic. Then you get to fill out a customer satisfaction survey and leave. Whole thing took ~30 mins door to door, and the appointment was only 5 mins of that. No questions asked in this part, and the staff were really nice.
AOS interview: NY office - enter on the Lafayette side. My appointment was at 8am, I arrived at 7:30 and saw a queue of hundreds of people. I thought I'd have to wait in this queue, but it seems this is for walk-ins. If you have an appointment, ignore this line and do not join it. Head up to the security guys and let them know what time your appointment is and they'll send you right to security. They will ask you to wait until 10 mins before your appointment. So keep that in mind. Security is once again airport style, then you head upstairs. They ask you to check in, and it's similar to the DHS process when you enter the US. They have the camera for facial recognition, and they take your index finger prints. Then they give you a ticket number and tell you to wait.
I noticed that everyone being called was being called by their full names, so I was listening for mine. If they give you a ticket number, they'll call that, not your name. I was led to a room out the back (not the main area) to do my interview. Totally enclosed office, which was nice.
You'll be asked to turn off your phone before the interview. They'll ask you to swear an oath to tell the truth, whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Then they ask you a series of questions - nothing too crazy here, mostly just generic stuff like when you last entered the US, your employment history, if you've ever overstayed a visa or lied about a visa app, etc. and then the yes/no questions you answered on the I-485.
At the end, my interviewer said I'll need to pass a background check, but she would be recommending me for approval. She also said pretty positive things like "WHEN you get your greencard" and talked about keeping my address current so I didn't "miss the card", and the future of "applying for citizenship", etc. I felt pretty good leaving the interview, but she didn't say that it was approved, nor did I leave with a visa stamp in my passport.
According to the clock on the wall, the interview started at 8:20am, and I was on my way home by 8:40am.
After that, I frantically checked for updates all day like a crazy person, and at 7pm it updated to say my card was being produced. I am surprised it updated on the same day, but I'm really grateful for it.
Now to frantically check the mailbox like a crazy person...
I owe the absolute world to this community, so if you have any questions, please let me know!
We definitely should! My IO said they had three Australian DV lottery interviews yesterday, so I'm guessing we had the same IO.
On the back of @AustrAlien's post, I'd like to summarize my experience -
General
- Masks are still required in all federal buildings and you will not be admitted without it. I saw a lot of panicked people run to the nearest CVS / Duane Reade to purchase a mask.
Interviewing
The interviewing process mirrors what @AustrAlien detailed, so nothing substantive to add. You do get a piece of paper at the end of the interviewing noting that your case is still pending.
Misconceptions:
- The 90-day travel rule does not apply to DV AOS. I was going to pass on the opportunity to adjust my status as I had a work trip overseas in early June and as my lawyers had informed me that I had to evidence at least 90+ day stay in the United States. A big thanks to everyone here for telling me otherwise!
- The IL can come in different formats, doesn't necessarily have to be a I-797C.
- As noted in the AOS Summary spreadsheet, DS-260 is not necessary for AOS. KCC will send you a 2NL as they will be notified of your $330 payment to the Department of State.
- "Pending Review" following an interview is not all doom and gloom!
Hi everyone!
I wanted to say a BIG thank you to everyone here (in particular to the Super Mods, contributors, and everyone who diligently updated the spreadsheet).
Great news - I had my interview at 8am today, and at 7pm my status was changed to "New Card Being Produced". I think (hope) this means I'm in the clear now!
I didn't need to ask any questions along the way, because everything here was so detailed and well-thought-out. But I wanted to pay it forward and contribute my share of the data for anyone it might help. (I've also updated the spreadsheet!).
Please feel free to ask any questions - happy to answer and help however I can! And sorry in advance for the lengthy writeup, I want to be as detailed as possible.
Details:
Australian E3 --> AOS DV
FO: New York, NY
Lockbox: Chicago, IL
Payment Method: Money Order
Month Current: June 2022
AOS pack sent: 30th June
Bio: 08th August
Interview: 23rd August (8am)
Card Being Produced Status: 23rd August (7pm)
Travel Authorisation: Received (still pending)
I made a few key mistakes:
1. Paperwork sent way too early (see below)
2. Submitted my DS-260 way ahead of time (see below)
3. Used Google Authenticator for my online 2FA (see below)
The first 2 mistakes were made before I found this forum and the resources it provides. I wish I'd found it earlier, but the good news is it doesn't seem to have hurt my application in the end (gratefully).
DS-260: I submitted my DS-260 the day I received my KCC notification, and spent the next ~18 months incredibly stressed about it once I learned more. If you're reading this for 2023 and beyond, DON'T do this. I followed the instructions in the links that were sent, and I'm sure I've shaved a few years off my life with the stress it caused me.
Paperwork: Sent in 2021, and again in June 2022. I actually misread the original notification and thought I was meant to apply in 2021. Whoops! They kindly sent it back to me with a letter stating I was a year early, and to include their letter on the top of my package when I resubmit after my number becomes current in 2022.
My AOS pack was extremely detailed, it had sections with colour-coded tabs, and I put a lot of time and effort into trying to make it as organised and easy as possible for anyone receiving it to find exactly what they needed. I also included some extra stuff in the hopes that I'd front-load my data and skip the interview at a later date (no such luck).
Medical: Your medical is valid for 2 years after being issued. So I kept the one I did back in 2021 when accidentally submitting early. This is worth noting because they changed the medical form in 2022 to include Covid vaccines. This was not an issue for me, however, as I was able to show my Covid vaccination proof on the spot.
Payments: I sent everything via money order, which was great because I could see when it was cashed. I also had to break up my payments as the max you can send via a single money order is $1,000.00 USD. I didn't know if this would be a problem (the AOS fee is $1,140), but I made sure this was detailed in my pack and it seems it wasn't a problem.
Online account: Okay so, here was my biggest stressor for a little while until I figured it out. I set up my online account in June of 2021 using Google Authenticator, and in August of 2021 my phone suffered severe water damage and couldn't be turned on again. For those who don't know, Google Authenticator is ONLY stored locally (e.g. not on the cloud), and my backup codes were also saved locally to my phone. Even the PDF that you get with your 2FA codes was only saved to the files/downloads folder on the phone itself. So I knew my email and password, but couldn't authenticate once I got a new phone. USCIS was absolutely no help whatsoever in resetting the code. Do NOT use a locally stored authentication method; instead use text, email, or something like Authy to authenticate. If you DO use a locally stored 2FA, save the back up codes to another device. If it's too late for you, and you're reading this now after your phone has also taken a swim, there are two workarounds (both worked for me):
1. If you have the receipt number for your case, you can search it on the USCIS case status page.
2. Alternatively, you can create a new account with a new email and password, and link a previously linked receipt number. So don't panic (like I did!).
The good news is, every update came quickly in the mail. So not too much lost in that regard.
Okay, onto the fun stuff:
Bio appointment: NY office - entrance is easy enough to find. Look for the hanging American flags. Not much to report here other than you should really get there at your timeslot, and not more than 5 mins earlier or they'll send you away. I arrived only 15 mins early and was turned away until 5 mins before my appointment. Once they let you in, you'll go through security (similar to an airport). Then you'll head upstairs and given a ticket number. They'll call you up when they're ready, ask you for your ID and your appointment letter. They'll ask you to sanitise your hands, 10-print you, and take your pic. Then you get to fill out a customer satisfaction survey and leave. Whole thing took ~30 mins door to door, and the appointment was only 5 mins of that. No questions asked in this part, and the staff were really nice.
AOS interview: NY office - enter on the Lafayette side. My appointment was at 8am, I arrived at 7:30 and saw a queue of hundreds of people. I thought I'd have to wait in this queue, but it seems this is for walk-ins. If you have an appointment, ignore this line and do not join it. Head up to the security guys and let them know what time your appointment is and they'll send you right to security. They will ask you to wait until 10 mins before your appointment. So keep that in mind. Security is once again airport style, then you head upstairs. They ask you to check in, and it's similar to the DHS process when you enter the US. They have the camera for facial recognition, and they take your index finger prints. Then they give you a ticket number and tell you to wait.
I noticed that everyone being called was being called by their full names, so I was listening for mine. If they give you a ticket number, they'll call that, not your name. I was led to a room out the back (not the main area) to do my interview. Totally enclosed office, which was nice.
You'll be asked to turn off your phone before the interview. They'll ask you to swear an oath to tell the truth, whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Then they ask you a series of questions - nothing too crazy here, mostly just generic stuff like when you last entered the US, your employment history, if you've ever overstayed a visa or lied about a visa app, etc. and then the yes/no questions you answered on the I-485.
At the end, my interviewer said I'll need to pass a background check, but she would be recommending me for approval. She also said pretty positive things like "WHEN you get your greencard" and talked about keeping my address current so I didn't "miss the card", and the future of "applying for citizenship", etc. I felt pretty good leaving the interview, but she didn't say that it was approved, nor did I leave with a visa stamp in my passport.
According to the clock on the wall, the interview started at 8:20am, and I was on my way home by 8:40am.
After that, I frantically checked for updates all day like a crazy person, and at 7pm it updated to say my card was being produced. I am surprised it updated on the same day, but I'm really grateful for it.
Now to frantically check the mailbox like a crazy person...
I owe the absolute world to this community, so if you have any questions, please let me know!
AustrAlien
Member
All of these are really great points. Thank you so much for adding! One more add-on to your add-on here too - I didn't get a piece of paper at the end of my interview. I actually left with nothing at all to show that I'd even attended, but didn't really think anything of it. So while getting the paper is a great thing, don't panic if you leave without it!
Sm1smom
Super Moderator
Not sure if it is any consolation, wanted to point out there is a recently approved case (46 days from bio completion) from your FO with a waived interview. Case was current in June, filed back in April.Hi all. I still haven’t heard any news about my case since my bio on 7/14. It’s been about 40 days with no update. I already contacted congressman 2 weeks ago and the reply they got from USCIS is that my case is currently pending at my FO and under review. Not sure what else I can do at this point other than keep waiting?
SusieQQQ
Well-Known Member
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i love your username!
Sm1smom
Super Moderator
Above is actually not accurate about 90 day rule not being applicable to DV AOS. In general, the 90 day rule is non binding on USCIS. This 90 day rule is guidance by DOS (Dept. Of States) to COs (consular officers). DOS has no jurisdiction over the USCIS, so that guidance is not binding nor applicable to USCIS. USCIS will review what is known as the totality of the circumstance in making a determination regarding if an applicant entered the US with the preconceived intent of filing AOS or not prior to entering the US. Entering the US on a NIV with a preconceived intent of filing AOS is as applicable to DV based AOS application same as an employment or family based AOS application regardless of if the applicant waited for 90 days or not before filing for AOS.
AustrAlien
Member
Ha, thank you! Today just gets better and better!
No longer an Alien though, so will need a new username in the future, I guess. I'm open to suggestions! Lol.
SusieQQQ
Well-Known Member
Oh but you are, the difference being you are now a resident alien. (Your green card is also known as an alien resident card…) you’ll have to become a citizen to drop that moniker!Ha, thank you! Today just gets better and better!
No longer an Alien though, so will need a new username in the future, I guess. I'm open to suggestions! Lol.
lolopolo
Active Member
Don't you become a resident alien just by living 5+ years in the US? I thought GC-holders are one step above resident aliens - legal permanent residents. Just curious