DV 2023 AOS (Adjustment of Status) Only

[AM7]

Hi @Sm1smom,

My AOS package was delivered on July 5. I included two Forms G-1145 - one for Form I-485 and one for Form I-765 - but have not yet received any e-notifications (I check my spam box every day) or NOA from USCIS. The strangest thing to me is that I asked my bank to check and the cashier's check has not yet been cashed.
Aside from exercise some patience, as you always remind us, is there anything I can do to find out what is going on (e.g. send an email or call)?

Thank you!

 

[Sandy90]

Hi Sm1smom,

I had an interview at NO, FO on July 06. Interview went well. IO officer only asked few questions and Yes/No questions from my form I-485. IO officer told everything is completed and background check too and final step was she just need to confirm with KCC in order to Approve the Case. Today it has been 14 days since my Interview I have not received any decision from visa officer regarding my case. What should I do at this moment.

 

[Sm1smom]

Thank you very much Mom for the access and for your promptly reply. I already added my case to the timeline. I was looking at my congressman website and it says that they can help if our case is beyond normal processing time. 1. Can I still contact them even thought I received my NOA on June 30th? 2. Is there a template that someone send before as an unsolicited letter to a FO? Thank you very much Mom.

Okay, so this is why I sometimes get snappy when responding to questions. If you had provided pertinent information such as when you filed or received your NOA, I wouldn’t have expended so much energy providing my previous response. I don’t expect your congressman’s office to be willing to follow up on your case considering it is actually less than a month. And no, I do not have a template for sending unsolicited letter to Tye FO.

 

[Sm1smom]

Hi @Sm1smom,

My AOS package was delivered on July 5. I included two Forms G-1145 - one for Form I-485 and one for Form I-765 - but have not yet received any e-notifications (I check my spam box every day) or NOA from USCIS. The strangest thing to me is that I asked my bank to check and the cashier's check has not yet been cashed.
Aside from exercise some patience, as you always remind us, is there anything I can do to find out what is going on (e.g. send an email or call)?

Thank you!

No, there’s nothing you can do at this point to follow up on your case. If your payment has not yet been cashed, it basically means your package is yet to be processed. I suggest you take another look at copies of the forms you sent it to ensure the form was properly filled out, there’s no missing signature, accurate payment was sent, etc as those are reasons for package rejection, and a rejected package will not show up in the system. It will basically just show up in your mailbox in such a situation.

p.s. two G-1145 in one package was completely unnecessary.

 

[Sm1smom]

Hi Sm1smom,

I had an interview at NO, FO on July 06. Interview went well. IO officer only asked few questions and Yes/No questions from my form I-485. IO officer told everything is completed and background check too and final step was she just need to confirm with KCC in order to Approve the Case. Today it has been 14 days since my Interview I have not received any decision from visa officer regarding my case. What should I do at this moment.

Be patient.

 

[Silverfox]

There's nothing ridiculous in USCIS's inability to reserve to visas for DV based AOS applicants - USCIS cannot reserve visas for AOSers, same way the embassies cannot allocate or reserve visas for CPers. KCC has oversight of the DV program, they process the DS260 forms for CP cases, which enables them to schedule the interviews and allocate the visas. KCC does not process the DS260 forms for AOSers, and most AOSers' do not even submit the DS260 form in the first place.

Yes I understand that USCIS cannot reserve visas. It just seems crazy to me that there isn't any coordination between USCIS and KCC regarding the AOS applications they've received. How can KCC go ahead and reserve CP visas without knowing how many AOS cases are pending or waiting for interview? If - as Brit points out - all remaining visas are now reserved for CPers, where will AOS visas be drawn from? Brit mentioned it will come from CPer no-shows and and refusals but if I were to be interviewed and approved tomorrow how could my visa come from a pool of no-shows/refusals that haven't happened yet? ie July, Aug, Sep.

 

[Sm1smom]

Yes I understand that USCIS cannot reserve visas. It just seems crazy to me that there isn't any coordination between USCIS and KCC regarding the AOS applications they've received. How can KCC go ahead and reserve CP visas without knowing how many AOS cases are pending or waiting for interview? If - as Brit points out - all remaining visas are now reserved for CPers, where will AOS visas be drawn from? Brit mentioned it will come from CPer no-shows and and refusals but if I were to be interviewed and approved tomorrow how could my visa come from a pool of no-shows/refusals that haven't happened yet? ie July, Aug, Sep.

Well, that is on KCC and not on USCIS. If DS260 submission is made mandatory for AOSers like it is for CPers, then maybe KCC would be able to reserve visas for them also. It is precisely because of this that we encourage AOSers to submit the DS260 form also, but most do not bother to do so.
Plus AOSers are about 5% or less of DV selectees, (and less than 5% of all other non DV based AOS applications USCIS deals on an annual basis by the way), there is therefore no reason for USCIS to deviate from their normal process and start expending much energy chasing after KCC. USCIS is a separate entity from KCC. KCC (which is under the jurisdiction of Department of State) has sole responsibility over the DV program.

I'm not even sure where to start from with this assumption/conclusion of "if I were to be interviewed and approved tomorrow how could my visa come from a pool of no-shows/refusals that haven't happened yet? ie July, Aug, Sep." - that is precisely why I stay out of visa exhaustion conversations in the first place, seeing as folks come up with all kinds of conclusion based on information shared by Simon and others who are into visa analysis.

 

[Sandy90]

Hi Sm1smom,

When I contacted KCC regarding my case they wrote in email that KCC is aware that I'm adjusting my Status in US with USCIS which was mention in DS260. I don't know if they secure visa for DS260 filed applicant into US who are adjusting their status with USCIS. Their email state that they are aware of Adjustment which probably means they will secure visa too, but I don't know how it works. I have attached email reply which I got from KCC.

Well, that is on KCC and not on USCIS. If DS260 submission is made mandatory for AOSers like it is for CPers, then maybe KCC would be able to reserve visas for them also. It is precisely because of this that we encourage AOSers to submit the DS260 form also, but most do not bother to do so.
Plus AOSers are about 5% or less of DV selectees, (and less than 5% of all other non DV based AOS applications USCIS deals on an annual basis by the way), there is therefore no reason for USCIS to deviate from their normal process and start expending much energy chasing after KCC. USCIS is a separate entity from KCC. KCC (which is under the jurisdiction of Department of State) has sole responsibility over the DV program.

I'm not even sure where to start from with this assumption/conclusion of "if I were to be interviewed and approved tomorrow how could my visa come from a pool of no-shows/refusals that haven't happened yet? ie July, Aug, Sep." - that is precisely why I stay out of visa exhaustion conversations in the first place, seeing as folks come up with all kinds of conclusion based on information shared by Simon and others who are into visa analysis.

 

[megdavidson26]

Yes I understand that USCIS cannot reserve visas. It just seems crazy to me that there isn't any coordination between USCIS and KCC regarding the AOS applications they've received. How can KCC go ahead and reserve CP visas without knowing how many AOS cases are pending or waiting for interview? If - as Brit points out - all remaining visas are now reserved for CPers, where will AOS visas be drawn from? Brit mentioned it will come from CPer no-shows and and refusals but if I were to be interviewed and approved tomorrow how could my visa come from a pool of no-shows/refusals that haven't happened yet? ie July, Aug, Sep.

Hi @Silverfox

You raise a valid point. From what I've read, the AOS process is explained but I haven't read anything either which determines where that allocation of visas come from, or if there even is one (as opposed to the pool of CP visa). Even the AOS cases aren't included in the CEAC data. Maybe that's why KCC/USCIS went over the 55k in some years - their estimates of 221g and no shows was underestimated??

I guess as Simon said, it is only 5% of DV cases but that's still potentially a couple of thousand. It definitely gives me pause to think about whether the AOS route (if you have a high case number) is the way to proceed in the final months.

 

[Sm1smom]

I guess as Simon said, it is only 5% of DV cases but that's still potentially a couple of thousand. It definitely gives me pause to think about whether the AOS route (if you have a high case number) is the way to proceed in the final months.

All the more reason why spending some quality time going over the AOS Process Spreadsheet has been recommended over and over again considering this is one of the cons covered under the AOS process compared to CP.

 

[SouLUSA]

Hi Sm1smom, I got my e-notification 9 days ago. But, I haven't received my Biometric Schedule notice. I received NOA 3 days ago in my mail. Its processing normally. DO I wait patiently or something is wrong with my case processing? PS: I already added my case in timeline

 

[lotterywinnerof2023]

Today my status changed to "Notice Explaining USCIS Actions Was Mailed" and it looks like this is going to be a denial letter.

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[Sm1smom]

Hi Sm1smom, I got my e-notification 9 days ago. But, I haven't received my Biometric Schedule notice. I received NOA 3 days ago in my mail. Its processing normally. DO I wait patiently or something is wrong with my case processing? PS: I already added my case in timeline

It does not look like something is wrong with your case, the bio letter should hopefully show up soon.

 

[Sm1smom]

Today my status changed to "Notice Explaining USCIS Actions Was Mailed" and it looks like this is going to be a denial letter.

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"

Oh wow! Yeah, that doesn’t sound good. Please keep us posted.

 

[George99x]

Today, we received 3 cards . The case status of our last kid still reads Request for Initial Evident was sent. I have tried to make an inquiry via the live agent this morning. The agent just said that all cases process differently and so I should just continue to wait.

Is there any recommended cause of action to follow up regarding this case ?

 

[AM7]

No, there’s nothing you can do at this point to follow up on your case. If your payment has not yet been cashed, it basically means your package is yet to be processed. I suggest you take another look at copies of the forms you sent it to ensure the form was properly filled out, there’s no missing signature, accurate payment was sent, etc as those are reasons for package rejection, and a rejected package will not show up in the system. It will basically just show up in your mailbox in such a situation.

p.s. two G-1145 in one package was completely unnecessary.

Thank you @Sm1smom for your reply.
I have checked several times and it seems to me that there is nothing that would cause the package to be rejected.
Also, if I use this link https://www.uscis.gov/file-online/how-to-create-a-uscis-online-account to create a USCIS online account before I receive the NOA with the Receipt Number, will I be able to check for updates on the status of my case?

 

[fahimeh]

Hi mom,
I would appreciate it if you could kindly let me know how many hours can a J1 visa holder works per week for the organization where issued the DS2019?
Thank you

 

[Sm1smom]

Today, we received 3 cards . The case status of our last kid still reads Request for Initial Evident was sent. I have tried to make an inquiry via the live agent this morning. The agent just said that all cases process differently and so I should just continue to wait.

Is there any recommended cause of action to follow up regarding this case ?

You can try congressional case inquiry/follow-up assistance.

 

[Sm1smom]

Thank you @Sm1smom for your reply.
I have checked several times and it seems to me that there is nothing that would cause the package to be rejected.
Also, if I use this link https://www.uscis.gov/file-online/how-to-create-a-uscis-online-account to create a USCIS online account before I receive the NOA with the Receipt Number, will I be able to check for updates on the status of my case?

You may create an account if you like, you will not see anything about the case for now because it is not yet in the system if the package is yet to be processed.

 

[Sm1smom]

Hi mom,
I would appreciate it if you could kindly let me know how many hours can a J1 visa holder works per week for the organization where issued the DS2019?
Thank you

That is not a DV process related question, so I’m sorry I cannot provide an answer.