DV 2025 AOS (Adjustment of Status) Process Only

[Sm1smom]

Should I send second response to RFE?
My first response was delivered almost 3 months ago but still no status update and Emma chat agent says they don’t see any update either. This Friday is deadline for RFE response.
I created a request that my case is outside of normal processing time but still nobody contacted me.
What should I do?

It is quite normal for the agents to not see any update about the RFE or your submitted response.

1. Which delivery method did you use in sending the RFE response?
2. When did you receive the RFE and when did you send in your response?
3. Do you have proof of delivery? If you do, you don’t have to send in a second response.

 

[Fara_12]

Hi Mom,
I am applying for an emergency AP. I have the medical document translated by my wife, with the confirmation of a friend that the translation is accurate. It has also the notary signature that the document was signed before them. Is it acceptable as an official translation?

 

[Sm1smom]

Hi Mom,
I am applying for an emergency AP. I have the medical document translated by my wife, with the confirmation of a friend that the translation is accurate. It has also the notary signature that the document was signed before them. Is it acceptable as an official translation?

No, not acceptable. The signed certified statement attesting to the accuracy of the translation must come from the translator. Have your friend translate and sign the certified statement. It does not need to be witnessed by or signed in front of a notary.

 

[Xarthisius]

Should I send second response to RFE?
My first response was delivered almost 3 months ago but still no status update and Emma chat agent says they don’t see any update either. This Friday is deadline for RFE response.
I created a request that my case is outside of normal processing time but still nobody contacted me.
What should I do?

What is your case status (your I-485 has a tracking number MSC259..., you can check status here: https://egov.uscis.gov/ )?

 

[wichy]

Hello~
I just decided to try my luck even though I'm very late in the game.

I just sent in DV fee payment yesterday (7/24/2025) and my medical exam is scheduled for 7/29/2025.
I'd really appreciate any tips to make my case goes faster and hopefully get approved without an interview.

 

[weimellll]

Hi Mom,
I got my biometrics appointment date from a USCIS live agent, but I haven’t received any NOA letter in the mail yet. I only have my receipt number from the USCIS text message. If I reschedule to an earlier date and download the new appointment letter from myUSCIS account, will that be sufficient to bring to the biometrics appointment if I still haven’t received the physical notice by then? Also, do I still need to bring the original biometrics notice with me, or is the updated one enough?

 

[Sm1smom]

Hi Mom,
I got my biometrics appointment date from a USCIS live agent, but I haven’t received any NOA letter in the mail yet. I only have my receipt number from the USCIS text message. If I reschedule to an earlier date and download the new appointment letter from myUSCIS account, will that be sufficient to bring to the biometrics appointment if I still haven’t received the physical notice by then? Also, do I still need to bring the original biometrics notice with me, or is the updated one enough?

Yes. No, Yes.

 

[Harry13--]

Hi everyone,
My case was approved today and I would like to share my process and my status.

I have TPS, F1, and asylum pending. I worked with Special Student Relief (SSR) under F1 for about a year. Before it expired, I reached out to DHS from my school to extend my SSR but she denied it since i was going to transfer to the university. Then, I applied EAD based Asylum and then worked before I transfer for about 5 months, I did not know that it is a violation of F1 and my F1 was already terminated until I joined this forum. After I read and asked in this forum, I notice I was already out of status for about 8 months and asylum pending is not a status to adjust the status. I applied TPS. However, on my i-485, I wrote TPS, F1, asylum pending on "what is current immigration status?" Moreover, I added all the employment history with exact dates and all the copies of W2, Tax transcripts, (Asylum, TPS, SSR, EAD) all notices from USCIS, I-134 from US sponsor, and a copy of proof from my university that showing my F1 and SEVIS are still active after I transfer. I do not know how it is work but I do know that I did not inform to school about working with asylum EAD. I was worried a lot about working with Asylum EAD before the interview.

My case was current on June
Sent the package - 05/31/2025 (CHICAGO LOCKBOX)
Receipt notice - 06/03/2025
Payment cash out - 06/08/2025

Contact Congresswoman - 06/16/2025 (Due to time limited of Residency deadline from my University)
Biometric - 06/24/2025
Reply from Congresswoman - 06/29/2025
Interview schedule - 07/22/2025
Approved - 07/25/2025

 

[Harry13--]

Hello,

These are a few pictures of how I assemble my package. I just wanted to share the pic of the files in case it might be an example who are planning to prepare their packages too. I tried to add all the documents that they would want to see. I separated 8 paper bag as different 8 categories.
1. I-485 application
2. Evidence of DV eligibility (1NL, 2NL, DV fees, Cover Letter)
3. IDs (My Ids like passports, SSN, Driver licenses, EADs, Birth certificates, )
4. Proof of maintaining valid status while in the US (documents regarding with F1, I-94, enrollment verifications, I20s, acceptance letters )
5. TPS and Asylum Status (All notices letter from USCIS)
6. Evidence of Degree Records (My Two Associate Degrees from community college, High school Records)
7. Evidence of Financial Support (My W2s, Tax return transcripts, Bank Statements) for 2022, 2023, 2024
8. I-134 (application, his W2, Employment verification letter, driver license, and US citizenship certification)

Even though I separated with 8 paper bags, the officer combined all together and put it in the large file.
My interview took on July 22, 2025 8:05am at SF. I arrived early at 7 am and I was able to enter. First, I need to check in at reception counter. Around 8:03 am, the officer came and call my name. He was nice and chill, He even told me the every direction on the way to get to his office while we are going together.
First, He said Congratulation first and he told me he already reviewed everything that I submitted. He said I submitted more documents than he needs to review and how will the interview go. Before we started he mentioned that I applied asylum and he asked have I already got the interview for asylum and he just wanted to make sure there were no two interview for green card. Then he fixed my date of birth error on his computer and then he went a little bit overview for my i-485. My name, full address, date of birth, My parents name, current school, major, year and went some Yes or No questions.
After finished reviewing i-485, he asked some questions and wrote down on the paper about my timeline of status. When did I enter the US? Was it with F1? Was it the first time entering to the US? And then go to my community college? After that transfer to my university? Are you currently working?
That's all he asked. After that he said he is ready to approve my green card but there was one background check pending and we ended our interview.
On July 24, 2025, my USCIS account was updated to "New card is being produced" and today, July 25 2025, "Case was approved".

Thank you so much everyone who answered my questions and helped me everything went through smoothly.

 

[Nataliia]

Hello everyone. This is the situation. Is there anyone here from New Jersey, Newark field office?. We submitted our documents to the AOS due to the lottery win on March 3. Our number is 11***. The congressman and senator made requests , but nothing helped. We even went there, but also to no avail. I'm worried that they don't call us for an interview for so long. The fingerprints were taken on March 11 and since then there have been no changes at all. What else can I do, and should I panic?

 

[Fara_12]

Hello Mom,
I am writing on behalf of my husband.
We finished our interview on July 22, and the officer said she cannot decide about the case since my background check (as the dependent) is pending. I am an here with F1, with no complication. Because of my husband's father illness, we applied for an appointment for EAP on July 24, talking to the Tier 2 officer. They gave him an appointment for Monday July 28. But today's morning, our status was changed to " Case was denied ". Is it possible to find out the reason of the denial before the letter?

 

[Sm1smom]

Hello everyone. This is the situation. Is there anyone here from New Jersey, Newark field office?. We submitted our documents to the AOS due to the lottery win on March 3. Our number is 11***. The congressman and senator made requests , but nothing helped. We even went there, but also to no avail. I'm worried that they don't call us for an interview for so long. The fingerprints were taken on March 11 and since then there have been no changes at all. What else can I do, and should I panic?

Newark NJ FO seems to be taking a while to approve DV based AOS applications unfortunately. @nmen1, a forum member has been waiting over six months - not sure if the case has eventually been adjudicated though since they haven’t been back online for the past 3 weeks or so. There’s also about two other cases from the same FO, (each filed late Dec. and Jan.) on the Timeline spreadsheet with no adjudication update listed - not sure if they have also been adjudicated as of now and haven’t bothered to update the case status. We however have one case @Samapps filed early Oct. and got approved without an interview late Feb. - 4 months after.

Seems like you’ve done all the possible follow-up attempts possible, so you just need to continue to remain patient at this point. Without knowing when your last congressional inquiry took place or what the response was, I can’t say if another congressional inquiry could be useful. You will become eligible to submit an online case service request if your case has been pending for six months without an update. Don’t panic, just continue to be patient and hopeful.

In the interim, I recommend you also add your case data to the timeline spreadsheet, doing so will help both your fellow and future AOSers.

 

[Sm1smom]

Hello Mom,
I am writing on behalf of my husband.
We finished our interview on July 22, and the officer said she cannot decide about the case since my background check (as the dependent) is pending. I am an here with F1, with no complication. Because of my husband's father illness, we applied for an appointment for EAP on July 24, talking to the Tier 2 officer. They gave him an appointment for Monday July 28. But today's morning, our status was changed to " Case was denied ". Is it possible to find out the reason of the denial before the letter?

I’m sorry to learn of the denial. Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait for the denial letter before knowing the details/reason(s) for the denial. Do keep us updated when you receive the letter.

 

[Nataliia]

Newark NJ FO seems to be taking a while to approve DV based AOS applications unfortunately. @nmen1, a forum member has been waiting over six months - not sure if the case has eventually been adjudicated though since they haven’t been back online for the past 3 weeks or so. There’s also about two other cases from the same FO, (each filed late Dec. and Jan.) on the Timeline spreadsheet with no adjudication update listed - not sure if they have also been adjudicated as of now and haven’t bothered to update the case status. We however have one case @Samapps filed early Oct. and got approved without an interview late Feb. - 4 months after.

Seems like you’ve done all the possible follow-up attempts possible, so you just need to continue to remain patient at this point. Without knowing when your last congressional inquiry took place or what the response was, I can’t say if another congressional inquiry could be useful. You will become eligible to submit an online case service request if your case has been pending for six months without an update. Don’t panic, just continue to be patient and hopeful.

In the interim, I recommend you also add your case data to the timeline spreadsheet, doing so will help both your fellow and future AOSers.

Does Newark approve without interviewing often? Could I have link to the spreadsheet? Sorry, I am new to the chat and could not find it .

 

[Sm1smom]

Does Newark approve without interviewing often? Could I have link to the spreadsheet? Sorry, I am new to the chat and could not find it .

1. One reported case from 2024 was also approved without an interview.
2. Take a look at the first post on page one of this thread, or the signature section of any of my posts for the link to the 2025 Timeline spreadsheet.

You can also review previous years’ timeline spreadsheets to see the trend regarding the Newark FO. Links to previous timelines are listed in the Timeline tab of the AOS process spreadsheet. Link to this spreadsheet is also available in the first post on page one of this thread, or the signature section of any of my posts.

 

[Fara_12]

I’m sorry to learn of the denial. Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait for the denial letter before knowing the details/reason(s) for the denial. Do keep us updated when you receive the letter.

Thank you,
1-For whatever reason they denied the application, and we provide proper evidences, is there a possibility to resume our current AOS application?

 

[Sm1smom]

Thank you,
1-For whatever reason they denied the application, and we provide proper evidences, is there a possibility to resume our current AOS application?

It depends on the reason for the denial. Any other response I provide you with now will be nothing but speculation. We wouldn’t know what may be possible without knowing the reason for the denial.

 

[Fara_12]

Thank you for the response! As we have an emergency appointment for the EAP scheduled for Monday morning, 1) Can I attend the appointment and talk to the officer about my AOS denial? 2) Do you recomment that?

 

[Sm1smom]

Thank you for the response! As we have an emergency appointment for the EAP scheduled for Monday morning, 1) Can I attend the appointment and talk to the officer about my AOS denial? 2) Do you recomment that?

The EAP will unfortunately also be denied at this point if the AOS application has already been denied as there’s no longer any basis for the AP. You can still attend the appointment nonetheless to hear what they’ll say, they may be able to give you a copy of the mailed denial letter. And if the denial is due to early filing, you should be prepared to demonstrate early filing is allowed by their own policy.

 

[Nataliia]

Newark NJ FO seems to be taking a while to approve DV based AOS applications unfortunately. @nmen1, a forum member has been waiting over six months - not sure if the case has eventually been adjudicated though since they haven’t been back online for the past 3 weeks or so. There’s also about two other cases from the same FO, (each filed late Dec. and Jan.) on the Timeline spreadsheet with no adjudication update listed - not sure if they have also been adjudicated as of now and haven’t bothered to update the case status. We however have one case @Samapps filed early Oct. and got approved without an interview late Feb. - 4 months after.

Seems like you’ve done all the possible follow-up attempts possible, so you just need to continue to remain patient at this point. Without knowing when your last congressional inquiry took place or what the response was, I can’t say if another congressional inquiry could be useful. You will become eligible to submit an online case service request if your case has been pending for six months without an update. Don’t panic, just continue to be patient and hopeful.

In the interim, I recommend you also add your case data to the timeline spreadsheet, doing so will help both your fellow and future AOSers.

So senator’s offfice got a response on July 2 Here it is:
“Thank you for your inquiry on behalf of your constituent, Nataliia Rus, regarding the status of Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.

USCIS service records confirm that the I-485 application was received on March 3, 2025. The case is under the jurisdiction of the Newark field office. It has been assigned to an adjudicating officer and is currently pending review. Once further action is taken, a decision or notice of action will be sent to the address of record. Please inform the constituent to keep their address current with USCIS.

We hope this information is helpful. If we may be of further assistance, please let us know.”

I would like to point out that I asked them again three days ago to follow up on a possible interview. The senator's office said that they couldn't help me right now, but if I didn't hear from USCIS by August 30, they would re-inquire about our case. The congressional office also made a request, but it was a long time ago. The response from USCIS was exactly the same as the response to the senator.I reached out to Congressman few weeks ago again , but look like they just ignore us .