DV 2025 AOS (Adjustment of Status) Process Only

[SusieQQQ]

Good evening all !

My first application was denied for early filling on July 16th after I did my biometric on July 2nd. My CN is August and I hired an attorney to refile the all application. New application was received by USCIS on 08/12. We filed a new I-485 and the Work Permit I-765. I made sure to include the G-1145 but this time I did not receive any text message. I got the NOA for both applications. They cashed payment and applied my fingerprints (taken on July 2nd) to the I-765. However, I see NO update for the I-485. The only update that I see is that they received my application on 08/12. The NOA indicates that they may use my fingerprints for my I-485 and if not they will mail me a new biometric appointment. I tried to contact EMMA and they are not giving me information.
Those questions are haunting me :

-If they took my Biometrics on July 2nd and already applied to my I-765, why would they have me redo the Biometrics for the I-485, it doesn't make sense no? I they have me redo the Biometrics for the I-485, I am worried to run out of time.
-They have my Biometrics and denied my case 2 weeks after. It means they already cleared my background check no?
SO I just wonder what are they waiting for? I am so confused and very worried cause we only have one month left. I spoke to my lawyer but she told me to wait. I don't know what to do. I see on the spreadsheet that things are moving which is great. But it is not moving for me.
-Do you think my case is still with Chicago or with Miami FO ?

I am so lost and I thank you for your guidance Mom. I wish you ALL the best of luck for the end of the road. It would make me so happy to know that ALL of us made it !

I’m curious why you filed a I765. There’s no way it would be processed before the end of the FY (depending on service center, processing times are 3.5-7 months). As the i485 it’s based on would expire end September there would be no basis for it to be issued after that, and you wouldn’t need it if the adjustment is processed by FY end.

You should number your questions. I’ll leave most of them for mom, but if they denied you for early filing, no that doesn’t mean anything one way or the other about whether your background check was complete.

 

[LeoV75]

I’m curious why you filed a I765. There’s no way it would be processed before the end of the FY (depending on service center, processing times are 3.5-7 months). As the i485 it’s based on would expire end September there would be no basis for it to be issued after that, and you wouldn’t need it if the adjustment is processed by FY end.

You should number your questions. I’ll leave most of them for mom, but if they denied you for early filing, no that doesn’t mean anything one way or the other about whether your background check was complete.

My Lawyer recommended to also file I-765. I am the first DV case they are having in their law firm. I will number my questions to make it easier.

 

[MrBobert]

My Lawyer recommended to also file I-765. I am the first DV case they are having in their law firm. I will number my questions to make it easier.

I think with that said you should as proactive as you can be yourself in this situation. It doesn't sound to me like this lawyer is very competent if one, this is their first DV case and second, they suggested filing an I-765 at this time of the fiscal year. There is absolutely zero chance the I-765 will get adjudicated before the I-485 is or the FY ends and then the I-765 is useless anyways.

I mean even with impossible magic, the I-765 being approved today, would give you like 30 days of work...what's the point of that?

 

[SusieQQQ]

My Lawyer recommended to also file I-765. I am the first DV case they are having in their law firm. I will number my questions to make it easier.

Sorry if this sounds rude, but why would you choose a lawyer who had no experience with DV? The fact that she advised you to file a I765 is an example of that - just wasted money and energy. Did she charge you a separate fee for filing that? If so I might try claw that back on the grounds that she should have known not to bother doing it.

 

[LeoV75]

Sorry if this sounds rude, but why would you choose a lawyer who had no experience with DV? The fact that she advised you to file a I765 is an example of that - just wasted money and energy. Did she charge you a separate fee for filing that? If so I might try claw that back on the grounds that she should have known not to bother doing it.

I was charged a global fee for AOS. I could have done it on my own but I was so discouraged when they denied my first application 2 weeks before my CN becomes available my FO could have kept my case aside until August 1st.
I really relay on this amazing blog to get clarifications and answers and feel so much in trust. I can't wait for Mum to answer my questions to have a better understanding of my situation.

 

[Sm1smom]

It is almost september and i still don’t have any updates for my case. I already submit inquiries in congresswoman, both senators, ombudsman, spoke with tier-2, sent letters to FO and still nothing. I don’t know what can i do. Almost 11 months they reviewing case.

When last did you hear back from your congressional inquiry? What was their response?

 

[grepawk]

Yes, zero chance.

Thanks. My friend is waiting post interview and people keep telling her that for EU it will run out in a couple of weeks so she’s freaking out.

 

[Sm1smom]

Hi Mom,


I just received my I-485 interview notice at the Brooklyn office for Sept 19 (DV-2025, EU22***, F-1 student; biometrics 8/14). The notice includes the DV attachment with multiple points crossed out in pencil, and the only section left is the list of acceptable financial support evidence to bring to the interview.

I have a few questions:

1. This is just an interview notice (not an RFE), correct? Am I right that I just need to bring the financial documents to the interview, rather than mail them in advance?
2. For the financial requirement: I’m an F-1 with modest on-campus income, and my family covers my tuition. The attachment says Form I-134 must be from a USC/LPR sponsor, but it also includes the confusing phrase “unless the I-134 is being submitted by the Diversity Visa Lottery winner.” Can I use an I-134 from my father (a foreign national), or should I rely instead on my campus job letter/pay stubs? What’s the most reliable strategy here?
3. My interview is set for 9/19, just 11 days before the fiscal year deadline. Would you recommend trying to request an earlier slot if possible, or is it safer to leave the date as scheduled?

Any advice would be hugely appreciated!


Thank you!

1. I obviously haven’t seen the actual document you received so I can’t confirm if it is a RFE or an IL. Follow the instructions provided on what you received.
2. The most reliable strategy is to get an I-134 from a USC or LPR.
3. You may try request an earlier date, no guarantee the request will be honored considering there’s no visa exhaustion concerns for this FY.

 

[Sm1smom]

Good evening all !

My first application was denied for early filling on July 16th after I did my biometric on July 2nd. My CN is August and I hired an attorney to refile the all application. New application was received by USCIS on 08/12. We filed a new I-485 and the Work Permit I-765. I made sure to include the G-1145 but this time I did not receive any text message. I got the NOA for both applications. They cashed payment and applied my fingerprints (taken on July 2nd) to the I-765. However, I see NO update for the I-485. The only update that I see is that they received my application on 08/12. The NOA indicates that they may use my fingerprints for my I-485 and if not they will mail me a new biometric appointment. I tried to contact EMMA and they are not giving me information.
Those questions are haunting me :

-If they took my Biometrics on July 2nd and already applied to my I-765, why would they have me redo the Biometrics for the I-485, it doesn't make sense no? I they have me redo the Biometrics for the I-485, I am worried to run out of time.
-They have my Biometrics and denied my case 2 weeks after. It means they already cleared my background check no?
SO I just wonder what are they waiting for? I am so confused and very worried cause we only have one month left. I spoke to my lawyer but she told me to wait. I don't know what to do. I see on the spreadsheet that things are moving which is great. But it is not moving for me.
-Do you think my case is still with Chicago or with Miami FO ?

I am so lost and I thank you for your guidance Mom. I wish you ALL the best of luck for the end of the road. It would make me so happy to know that ALL of us made it !

1. If the previous bio has been applied to your new I-765 filing, it will also be applied to the I-485.
2. No, it doesn’t necessarily mean the bio had cleared as at when the previous application was denied for early filing.
3. Your I-485 should already be with your FO at this point.
4. Yours is not the only application your FO is dealing with, there are several non DV based AOS applications your FO is dealing with, most of them filed before yours. They also have to attend to those while seeking a convenient slot to slide your case into. You filed on 8/12, so you need to be patient.

 

[Sm1smom]

My Lawyer recommended to also file I-765. I am the first DV case they are having in their law firm. I will number my questions to make it easier.

Yeah you decided to throw money away by hiring a lawyer even though I previously told you there was no reason hire a lawyer in order to refile.

Sorry to learn of the denial due to early filing.
I don’t see a need to hire a lawyer. I wouldn’t bother with a motion to reopen or motion to reconsider as the processing time typically takes longer than that of a DV based AOS application.

And the worst part, you hired someone who clearly has no DV experience.

 

[Britsimon]

Thanks. My friend is waiting post interview and people keep telling her that for EU it will run out in a couple of weeks so she’s freaking out.

It is not mathematically possible to run out of DV2025 visas (apart from cases chargeable to Egypt). In fact, they will be wasting about 4000 visas.

 

[SusieQQQ]

Thanks. My friend is waiting post interview and people keep telling her that for EU it will run out in a couple of weeks so she’s freaking out.

What “people”?
There are not hard quotas by region. There is a hard overall number, and there is a 7% of total limit per country (of which only a couple of countries within EU are ever at risk of reaching, but understand that it is very rare this happens - as Simon indicated the only country at risk of that this year is Egypt, obviously not EU). Anyone saying “EU” visas will run out doesn’t understand how it works. As the overall number will be well below quota, there is no way that “EU” visas will run out.

 

[LeoV75]

1. If the previous bio has been applied to your new I-765 filing, it will also be applied to the I-485.
2. No, it doesn’t necessarily mean the bio had cleared as at when the previous application was denied for early filing.
3. Your I-485 should already be with your FO at this point.
4. Yours is not the only application your FO is dealing with, there are several non DV based AOS applications your FO is dealing with, most of them filed before yours. They also have to attend to those while seeking a convenient slot to slide your case into. You filed on 8/12, so you need to be patient.

Thanks so much for your reply mum, I appreciate your time. Yes you had told me not to hire a lawyer but I was so disappointed and desperate to redo everything by myself
I have a last question : Who make the decision to waive the interview ? Is it my Miami FO or Chicago? I hope they give me that chance so I can save some time.

 

[T1mko]

When last did you hear back from your congressional inquiry? What was their response?

I call them last friday, they said that uscis still didn’t answer them and they let me know when they gonna have updates.

 

[SusieQQQ]

Thanks so much for your reply mum, I appreciate your time. Yes you had told me not to hire a lawyer but I was so disappointed and desperate to redo everything by myself
I have a last question : Who make the decision to waive the interview ? Is it my Miami FO or Chicago? I hope they give me that chance so I can save some time.

The FO. The lockbox is purely administrative.

 

[Sm1smom]

Thanks so much for your reply mum, I appreciate your time. Yes you had told me not to hire a lawyer but I was so disappointed and desperate to redo everything by myself
I have a last question : Who make the decision to waive the interview ? Is it my Miami FO or Chicago? I hope they give me that chance so I can save some time.

Yeah, if only you had continued to trust and believe in the support you were receiving in this forum, as against allowing the disappointment of the first denial to cloud your judgement. I couldn’t help but notice it took almost one month following the denial to file your second application, you lost valuable time while relying on some lawyer with no DV experience over something you could have promptly taken care of yourself. I’m not trying to rub it in like the saying goes, just pointing this out which hopefully could help someone else in the future who may find themself in a similar situation.

The FO makes the call. Miami FO did not waive the interview in 2024, however there’s one reported 2025 case with the interview waived. So just wait and see at this point.

p.s. can you add your case details to the Timeline spreadsheet - both filings 1 and 2? Your updates will help strengthen the data buildup in this forum -

 

[Sm1smom]

I call them last friday, they said that uscis still didn’t answer them and they let me know when they gonna have updates.

I’m sorry to learn your FO is yet to respond to the congressional inquiry. Hang in there, don’t lose hope.

 

[LeoV75]

Yeah, if only you had continued to trust and believe in the support you were receiving in this forum, as against allowing the disappointment of the first denial to cloud your judgement. I couldn’t help but notice it took almost one month following the denial to file your second application, you lost valuable time while relying on some lawyer with no DV experience over something you could have promptly taken care of yourself. I’m not trying to rub it in like the saying goes, just pointing this out which hopefully could help someone else in the future who may find themself in a similar situation.

The FO makes the call. Miami FO did not waive the interview in 2024, however there’s one reported 2025 case with the interview waived. So just wait and see at this point.

p.s. can you add your case details to the Timeline spreadsheet - both filings 1 and 2? Your updates will help strengthen the data buildup in this forum -

Yes you are right I could have taken care of things myself Now I only have one month left and I am starting to lose hope because of my wrong judgement. It took me 6 months to prepare the best application the first time and I was so disappointed to get denied just for 2 weeks earlier than I got discouraged.

I tried to add my 2 fillings but still unable to do it. I requested access to do it.

 

[Sm1smom]

Yes you are right I could have taken care of things myself Now I only have one month left and I am starting to lose hope because of my wrong judgement. It took me 6 months to prepare the best application the first time and I was so disappointed to get denied just for 2 weeks earlier than I got discouraged.

I tried to add my 2 fillings but still unable to do it. I requested access to do it.

Access granted.

 

[Sm1smom]

I call them last friday, they said that uscis still didn’t answer them and they let me know when they gonna have updates.

Follow up question for you:

You got married to your spouse after your DV selection. Prior to getting married, did you ever submit any other application to USCIS in which you and your partner selected married as your marital status on the form (considering you and your partner have been together for 10 years? Like your UHP application? Work permit? The I-134 submitted in support of your HP application?