DV 2023 AOS (Adjustment of Status) Only

[DILUAE]

I had suggested initiating an online chat with Emma or calling the USCIS number to find out if the bio has been scheduled or not. I did not suggest raising an online inquiry for case status because (1) I know your daughter’s case is not at a stage where that option could be used, and (2), the response you’ll get from doing so would be a generic one like you received.

By the way which of these two FOs has jurisdiction over your daughter’s case: San Antonio, TX; or Dallas, TX? You have Dallas listed on the Timeline spreadsheet.

Dear Mom,

I have sent the AOS package to Dallas Lockbox, I don't understand why I received a response from San Antonio.
I initiated an online Chat with Emma and tried calling USCIS today, so both options directed me to fill out an online inquiry form. Due to my previous inquiry, I cannot initiate another one within 30 days.

I'm worried right now, did I do any mistake in this process? It's been nearly two months since I sent the AOS package.

Thank You.

 

[Sm1smom]

Dear Mom,

I have sent the AOS package to Dallas Lockbox, I don't understand why I received a response from San Antonio.
I initiated an online Chat with Emma and tried calling USCIS today, so both options directed me to fill out an online inquiry form. Due to my previous inquiry, I cannot initiate another one within 30 days.

I'm worried right now, did I do any mistake in this process? It's been nearly two months since I sent the AOS package.

Thank You.

Okay, first of all it seems to me you don’t really know which is your FO (and ASC), looks like you listed Dallas TX on the spreadsheet because you sent your package to the Dallas Lockbox - that is not how it works. It is important for me to know the actual FO and ASC with jurisdiction over your case in order to better guide you. So use this link to figure out your FO and ASC.

Also the response from the online chat with EMMA is a bit unusual? Can you write here exactly what you asked Emma when you chatted? From the phone call, I deduce you did not actually speak with an agent when you called, the report about being directed to submit an online case inquiry form is a standard recorded message, not something a live agent will say AFAIK.

And like I wrote in one of my previous responses to you, your case is not at a stage where you could benefit from submitting an online inquiry form, that is precisely why I did not recommend it to you in the first place, it’s not like I’m not aware of that option. So for now, forget about utilizing that option!

 

[abc1]

Hello Sm1smom,

I am on F-1 Visa. I graduate May 2023.

1. For the educational degree: What documents should I send as proof? High school certificate? College Transcripts? If yes to the college transcripts -should they be official or unofficial?

2. For the Evidence of Financial support, is the employment verification letter enough? Or do I still include my bank statements and tax return transcripts even though as an F1 student I haven’t been earning much.

 

[wesnewyork]

it has been almost three weeks since I completed my i485 interview. (March 6) I tried tier two, congressm an inquiry and ombudsman but nothing helps. What can I do if USCIS doesn’t make a decision in 30 days?

 

[Sm1smom]

Hello Sm1smom,

I am on F-1 Visa. I graduate May 2023.

1. For the educational degree: What documents should I send as proof? High school certificate? College Transcripts? If yes to the college transcripts -should they be official or unofficial?

2. For the Evidence of Financial support, is the employment verification letter enough? Or do I still include my bank statements and tax return transcripts even though as an F1 student I haven’t been earning much.

1&2: Please take a look at the AOS Process Spreadsheet.

 

[Sm1smom]

it has been almost three weeks since I completed my i485 interview. (March 6) I tried tier two, congressm an inquiry and ombudsman but nothing helps. What can I do if USCIS doesn’t make a decision in 30 days?

If your interview was completed on Mar. 6th, that is barely two weeks ago. Too soon to have wasted the precious follow-up resources such as congressman, or ombudsman and complaining about none having been of help. What you need to do at this point is exercise some PATIENCE!

And by the way, it would have been nice to report back on how you were able to fix your missed interview appointment, considering the IL was mailed to your old address, you were out of the country and posted on Mar. 3rd about getting on the next available flight arriving on Mar. 6th. So how were you able to get the interview re-scheduled for Mar. 6th, and how did it go? Sharing experiences (and not just dropping in to ask questions), including updating the Timeline Spreadsheet is how this forum thrives. Other folks in similar situations could benefit from your experience if you share it, just so you know.

 

[abc1]

1&2: Please take a look at the AOS Process Spreadsheet.

Thanks! I have been looking at it including the AOS package. I just had those two follow up questions. Especially the one relating to the evidence of financial support, I just wanted to know if the employment verification letter would be sufficient since I am F1 student and I am having a hard time finding a sponsor for the I-134

 

[wesnewyork]

If your interview was completed on Mar. 6th, that is barely two weeks ago. Too soon to have wasted the precious follow-up resources such as congressman, or ombudsman and complaining about none having been of help. What you need to do at this point is exercise some PATIENCE!

And by the way, it would have been nice to report back on how you were able to fix your missed interview appointment, considering the IL was mailed to your old address, you were out of the country and posted on Mar. 3rd about getting on the next available flight arriving on Mar. 6th. So how were you able to get the interview re-scheduled for Mar. 6th, and how did it go? Sharing experiences (and not just dropping in to ask questions), including updating the Timeline Spreadsheet is how this forum thrives. Other folks in similar situations could benefit from your experience if you share it, just so you know.

My experience at the NY FO is walking in and no one ask me about the purpose of the visit until I got upstairs. They consider for half an hour and call me up for an interview. My interviewer remind me at the end to wait at least 30 days but I don't see others waiting that long on the timeline. (feel like she said that cuz she saw me contact USCIS a lot previously on my AP and just plan to sit on my case for an entire month) I've updated my timeline

 

[Sm1smom]

Thanks! I have been looking at it including the AOS package. I just had those two follow up questions. Especially the one relating to the evidence of financial support, I just wanted to know if the employment verification letter would be sufficient since I am F1 student and I am having a hard time finding a sponsor for the I-134

It may be deemed sufficient, I can't say for certain.

 

[Sm1smom]

My experience at the NY FO is walking in and no one ask me about the purpose of the visit until I got upstairs. They consider for half an hour and call me up for an interview. My interviewer remind me at the end to wait at least 30 days but I don't see others waiting that long on the timeline. (feel like she said that cuz she saw me contact USCIS a lot previously on my AP and just plan to sit on my case for an entire month) I've updated my timeline

So the IO already informed you it could take up to 30 days before a decision is made, rather than exercise some patience, you went ahead and misused your case follow-up resources in under 2 weeks. The IO is not being punitive, if they wanted to be punitive, they wouldn't have allowed you to do a walk-in interview after missing your scheduled appointment in the first place. There are several reasons that may lead to a delayed decision following the interview, some of which have been covered on the FAQ section of the AOS Process Spreadsheet -

QUESTION: I expected to be approved at the end of my interview, but my IO did not approve the case, why? / How come someone else got approved at the end of their interview and I did not?

ANSWER: Your IO is not obligated/required to issue an approval immediately following your interview. There may be several reasons as to why the IO is yet to approve your case:
1. Your background check clearance is still pending (even if you did your bio several weeks/months before the interview, you may still be subjected to a prolonged background check clearance)
2. Your IO did not request your KCC file ahead of the interview - your application cannot be approved without this KCC file
3. Your IO may be a junior IO, or one who has no experience with DV based AOS cases - the IO will therefore need a supervisory review/approval for your case
4. The IO is unable to retrieve a visa number or is not familiar with how to log into IVAMSWEB to retrieve the visa number

 

[wesnewyork]

So the IO already informed you it could take up to 30 days before a decision is made, rather than exercise some patience, you went ahead and misused your case follow-up resources in under 2 weeks. The IO is not being punitive, if they wanted to be punitive, they wouldn't have allowed you to do a walk-in interview after missing your scheduled appointment in the first place. There are several reasons that may lead to a delayed decision following the interview, some of which have been covered on the FAQ section of the AOS Process Spreadsheet -

QUESTION: I expected to be approved at the end of my interview, but my IO did not approve the case, why? / How come someone else got approved at the end of their interview and I did not?

ANSWER: Your IO is not obligated/required to issue an approval immediately following your interview. There may be several reasons as to why the IO is yet to approve your case:
1. Your background check clearance is still pending (even if you did your bio several weeks/months before the interview, you may still be subjected to a prolonged background check clearance)
2. Your IO did not request your KCC file ahead of the interview - your application cannot be approved without this KCC file
3. Your IO may be a junior IO, or one who has no experience with DV based AOS cases - the IO will therefore need a supervisory review/approval for your case
4. The IO is unable to retrieve a visa number or is not familiar with how to log into IVAMSWEB to retrieve the visa number

Thanks for the reply. My interviewer asked for my college grade report and enrollment verification which I have them printed out last summer when organizing my AOS package but not the most recent. She said okay after I apologize for not bringing the latest version. I might sound really crazy over my case status considering my IL was lost before (not just misdelivered, I went back to my old address, and I don't think it ever got delivered successfully) I am anxious they might request RFE or anything that might cause rejection just because I'm not getting the update. Or just because I do walk in and my interview record did not stop them from seeing the no-show on the first interview and denying the case. (Current status still shows Fingerprint fee was received which is frustrating)

 

[Sm1smom]

Thanks for the reply. My interviewer asked for my college grade report and enrollment verification which I have them printed out last summer when organizing my AOS package but not the most recent. She said okay after I apologize for not bringing the latest version. I might sound really crazy over my case status considering my IL was lost before (not just misdelivered, I went back to my old address, and I don't think it ever got delivered successfully) I am anxious they might request RFE or anything that might cause rejection just because I'm not getting the update. Or just because I do walk in and my interview record did not stop them from seeing the no-show on the first interview and denying the case. (Current status still shows Fingerprint fee was received which is frustrating)

You think they’re not aware you were a no show for the initial interview? They’re very much aware even if they never mentioned it at the interview. A walk-in interview is not normal. They have records of everything in your file, including the follow up correspondence from your congress person following the missed interview, the IO has access to all of that, they know.

Did you confirm with the IO if they have your new address on record? That was you opportunity to ensure the new address (which you already submitted a change of address for) was in your AOS file.

 

[wesnewyork]

You think they’re not aware you were a no show for the initial interview? They’re very much aware even if they never mentioned it at the interview. A walk-in interview is not normal. They have records of everything in your file, including the follow up correspondence from your congress person following the missed interview, the IO has access to all of that, they know.

Did you confirm with the IO if they have your new address on record? That was you opportunity to ensure the new address (which you already submitted a change of address for) was in your AOS file.

Thanks for the reminder. Yes, I have doubled check with my interviewer about the address update. I think I'm trying to say perhaps some officer (or her supervisor) might just check the record and see me missing the interview for the scheduled time which results in ignore or deny the case. (as you mentioned walk-in is not common at all so if they mismark my walk-in interview wouldn't it be miserable) I wanna try to be patient but I also have to be prepared for the next step if one stupid error causes another month of delay. My internship starts in May and I don't think I can do OPT or CPT since I no longer hold the F1 status after AOS and EAD will be too late to file now.

 

[Sm1smom]

Thanks for the reminder. Yes, I have doubled check with my interviewer about the address update. I think I'm trying to say perhaps some officer (or her supervisor) might just check the record and see me missing the interview for the scheduled time which results in ignore or deny the case. (as you mentioned walk-in is not common at all so if they mismark my walk-in interview wouldn't it be miserable) I wanna try to be patient but I also have to be prepared for the next step if one stupid error causes another month of delay. My internship starts in May and I don't think I can do OPT or CPT since I no longer hold the F1 status after AOS and EAD will be too late to file now.

I tired of repeating myself about they (including the IO that interviewed you) already knowing you missed your scheduled interview itself - so I don't think I will be responding to that issue again.

It's a good thing you confirmed they now have your updated address in your AOS file - the correspondence from them at this point should be sent to the new address (I don't see the fear of it going to the previous address). You should have applied for OPT when you became eligible to do so, regardless of if you already submitted your AOS application or not.

 

[DILUAE]

Okay, first of all it seems to me you don’t really know which is your FO (and ASC), looks like you listed Dallas TX on the spreadsheet because you sent your package to the Dallas Lockbox - that is not how it works. It is important for me to know the actual FO and ASC with jurisdiction over your case in order to better guide you. So use this link to figure out your FO and ASC.

Also, the response from the online chat with EMMA is a bit unusual. Can you write here exactly what you asked Emma when you chatted? From the phone call, I deduce you did not actually speak with an agent when you called, the report about being directed to submit an online case inquiry form is a standard recorded message, not something a live agent will say AFAIK.

And as I wrote in one of my previous responses to you, your case is not at a stage where you could benefit from submitting an online inquiry form, that is precisely why I did not recommend it to you in the first place, it’s not like I’m not aware of that option. So for now, forget about utilizing that option!

Thank You for the response, Mom.
1- My FO is San. Antonio TX. I have corrected the timeline sheet.
2- I've asked case status Emma (Now I realized its wrong)
3-I did not speak with a live agent. is there any lockdown period with this mode as well?
4-Case status shows "Finger Print Fee was received. NBC location is working on the case. we mailed you a notice describing how we will process your case".

The last thing I received from USCIS was the NOC.
Is my case unusually delayed?

Regards,
DG

 

[Call78]

Hello Sm1smom,
It seems to change address during the process is not a good idea. So, I am going to use my friends PO BOX address as I will change my present address. Is it good to use fiends name in I-485 ( in care of name) mailing section or is it better use my name in the section ?
I have my USCIS account, after I add my case number to my account would NOA letter, interview notice and other information appear?
Thank you so much!

 

[Totoy]

Hello Sm1smom,
It seems to change address during the process is not a good idea. So, I am going to use my friends PO BOX address as I will change my present address. Is it good to use fiends name in I-485 ( in care of name) mailing section or is it better use my name in the section ?
I have my USCIS account, after I add my case number to my account would NOA letter, interview notice and other information appear?
Thank you so much!

First I want to clarify that it is okay to use another person's mailing address because I used a friend's mailing address and for that reason I indicated that friend's name in the care of section. so all my correspondence I received from USICS had Care of Friend's Name, Followed by my name, and the friend's address and fyi I have an approval so that should not be a problem. However, be advised that if you go through that route I will strongly recommend that you do not use a P.O.BOx because USCIS may not deliver green card to a p.o. box. So instead use a regular mailing address. Additionally, I want you to know that if this friend's address is out of state it is possible that your BM appointment will be scheduled in that state and not your physical address state. For this reason make sure that 1) You are in the same state as your friend, 2) you are not using a p.o.box. This is my take but others can advise you better as well.

 

[RN_Violet]

Hello , Has anyone does AOS in NJ ?
My DV number AS33xx Since Feb15 my status show fingerprints were taken it’s been over a month waiting for appointment letter to interview or case approved there’s no any progress, on the other hand my 2 friends in MA theirs case have been already approved which is super fast , so I would like to know who AOS in NJ
How’s your case going ? any updates ? Thanks

 

[Sm1smom]

Thank You for the response, Mom.
1- My FO is San. Antonio TX. I have corrected the timeline sheet.
2- I've asked case status Emma (Now I realized its wrong)
3-I did not speak with a live agent. is there any lockdown period with this mode as well?
4-Case status shows "Finger Print Fee was received. NBC location is working on the case. we mailed you a notice describing how we will process your case".

The last thing I received from USCIS was the NOC.
Is my case unusually delayed?

Regards,
DG

Judging by DV2022 trend, bio notice or waiver seems to be late. So this is why you need to specially ask on the Emma chat if your bio has been scheduled or not (don't ask about case update) - knowing the answer to this will enable you determine if the correspondence got sent and is now lost in transit or something. I recommend you do whatever you can to get connected with a live agent to chat with on Emma. Also when you call the USCIS 1800 number, just keep saying INFOPASS to the automated system until you get connected to a live agent. Then ask the person if your bio as been scheduled or not.

For DV2022 selectees, San Antonio actually waived the interview, so maybe this is something you may look forward to, fingers crossed on that. Your displayed case status is normal, there's usually no update on case status until after it has been adjudicated (approved or denied) - this information is listed on the AOS Process Spreadsheet.

 

[Sm1smom]

Hello Sm1smom,
It seems to change address during the process is not a good idea. So, I am going to use my friends PO BOX address as I will change my present address. Is it good to use fiends name in I-485 ( in care of name) mailing section or is it better use my name in the section ?
I have my USCIS account, after I add my case number to my account would NOA letter, interview notice and other information appear?
Thank you so much!

If you're using your friend's address as your mailing address, you should definitely have their name listed under the in care of section of the form. Nope the correspondence will not be shown in your USCIS account AFAIK.