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DV 2026 AOS (Adjustment of Status) Process Only

Sm1smom said:
Submit form AR-11 to inform USCIS of your change of address. Everyone on a non-immigrant status is required to submit form AR-11 to notify USCIS whenever their address changes.
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I’m an F-1 student and a DV selectee preparing to file I-485 when my case becomes current. Since F-1 students usually don’t file AR-11 because ISSS updates our address, do I still need to file AR-11 now and also after submitting I-485 if I happen to change my address (which I don't want)?

Also, in the timeline sheet, I don’t yet know my current month but wanted to add my entry for fee payment date for tracking. Can I select the expected month for now and update it later once it becomes current?
 
nepali said:
I’m an F-1 student and a DV selectee preparing to file I-485 when my case becomes current. Since F-1 students usually don’t file AR-11 because ISSS updates our address, do I still need to file AR-11 now and also after submitting I-485 if I happen to change my address (which I don't want)?

Also, in the timeline sheet, I don’t yet know my current month but wanted to add my entry for fee payment date for tracking. Can I select the expected month for now and update it later once it becomes current?
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1. You’re required to file an AR-11 to notify USCIS of your change of address as F1 if you have a pending petition. If you currently have no pending petition with USCIS, notifying your DSO alone may be enough.

2. Yes you can do that.
 
Hi, @Sm1smom,

I hope this email finds you well.

I would appreciate your guidance on this matter. I need to maintain my F-1 status since my OPT expires in several months. If I enroll in a second master’s program, will this raise any concerns?
My OPT ends in mid-February, and the master’s program I am considering begins on March 2. Would this gap between the end of OPT and the program start date create any issues?
Looking forward to your reply.
 
KISS2025 said:
Hi, @Sm1smom,

I hope this email finds you well.

I would appreciate your guidance on this matter. I need to maintain my F-1 status since my OPT expires in several months. If I enroll in a second master’s program, will this raise any concerns?
My OPT ends in mid-February, and the master’s program I am considering begins on March 2. Would this gap between the end of OPT and the program start date create any issues?
Looking forward to your reply.
Click to expand...
I recommend you consult with one or two experienced immigration attorney on what you can to do to maintain F1-status in your situation. I do not provide guidance on how to maintain current status.
 
KISS2025 said:
Hi, @Sm1smom,

I hope this email finds you well.

I would appreciate your guidance on this matter. I need to maintain my F-1 status since my OPT expires in several months. If I enroll in a second master’s program, will this raise any concerns?
My OPT ends in mid-February, and the master’s program I am considering begins on March 2. Would this gap between the end of OPT and the program start date create any issues?
Looking forward to your reply.
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Hello,
I can help you with this question:
After your ead card expires , you have grace period of 60 days where you are legally present in the country. in this period you can transfer to school or travel. For example, if your opt expires on 01/01/2026, you are opt expire on 01/04/2026(count the 60 days from jan 01. my math may be wrong here).
You must find a program in these 2 months, and the program can start within 5 months.(that what i know, internet is full of resource, and there is fb group where you can ask).
There are many people who got green card by doing 2 master's degree. Juts make sure the 2nd master is different from the 1st.
There are school who do DOB (doctor of Business program), you may want to look into those programs.
Just keep documentation with you such as enrollment to courses and so on.
There is no issue in having the gap as long as you have your i-20 with you and find the school within 60 days. I have had the case like this, and no issue on my interview.(Know you right is important in this country, and fight for it)
As long as your case is clear, no red flag, you should be fine.

Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks
 
I had lawyer to help me just for my peace of mind. BUT YOU DON'T NEED HIM.

My interview was today at Santa Ana California Office:

1.Pass the security
2.Go to the room, do the check-in by giving out the letter.they will take picture of you and fingerprint
3.Called for the interview:
1.Full name,
2date of birth
3 place where i was born,
4.who helped me to file the(Lawyer and me)
5.Title of my study
6. When i enter in the country
7.Date i enter in the country
8. where i live
9. visa i enter in the country
10. where i work and role and location
11.Some question from i-485(not all)
12. Sign in


Extra information:
I handled all the main documents such as passport, dv letter, birth certificate, and payment fee(330$)
The interviewer was very nice and polite
He asked me if he could keep the payment fee, and I told him that i don't have the copy. he was fine saying that they have the copy on the file.
He asked me if I have some question for him couple of times , but i said no as I have my lawyer who informed me about the process
He explained me the next step, and just wait until the process the paperwork to the main center, to wait for the green card within a couple of weeks.He also mentioned to keep an eye on the uscis account online( to be honest my account online is still on biometric taken, no update)


Thanks for the help. I will keep you posted when i get my documents

Thanks for people who created this forum, you all are such a wonderful persons. No words can describe how helpful this forum is.

If someone has some question, I am here to help

Until i don't get my physical green card in my hands , i don't declare victory though.
 
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Hello,
Just for clarification:I currently don’t have a pending petition with USCIS so meaning I don’t have to file AR-11 because I’m currently an F1. I will be current in January and plan to send my documents next month. By the time I send my documents I would have moved to a new address. How do I navigate that? Do I file AR-11 immediately after sending documents with the new address.
 
Kimk said:
Hello,
Just for clarification:I currently don’t have a pending petition with USCIS so meaning I don’t have to file AR-11 because I’m currently an F1. I will be current in January and plan to send my documents next month. By the time I send my documents I would have moved to a new address. How do I navigate that? Do I file AR-11 immediately after sending documents with the new address.
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Like I previously responded to you, my recommendation for anyone in a non-immigrant status has always been to file an AR-11 (regardless of if they're in F1 status or some other status) following a change of address. You can make the call as to if you should still file an AR-11 or simply rely on your DSO doing so.
 
Kimk said:
Just for clarification:I currently don’t have a pending petition with USCIS so meaning I don’t have to file AR-11 because I’m currently an F1
Click to expand...
Yes, you do. The only exceptions are A and G visas and VWP. From the USCIS website:

All aliens in the United States must report a change of address to USCIS within 10 days of moving. This reporting requirement does not apply to A and G visa holders and visa waiver visitors.
www.uscis.gov

How to Change Your Address | USCIS

If you have filed an immigration benefit request with USCIS, you must notify USCIS of any changes of address as soon as possible to ensure you receive all correspondence and benefits without delay. Additionally, all aliens in the United States must report a change of address to USCIS within 10...
www.uscis.gov

If your school is filing an AR11 on your behalf, that’s fine of course.

Even when you have a green card you are still required to file it until you become a citizen.
 
Hi Sir, my case number is 2026AF00029xxx. Can I consider it to be current in this as today on 20th November 2025 ? Or I should wait for January 2026. In fact, someone told me that it is and another says it is not. If you could clarify I would appreciate very much. I am on F1 status meaning that I have to fill out the I485 when the number is current. So if it is the case, and I am not applying, while think to do it in January 2026 I may lose the opportunity.

Hope to hear from you soon.
 
fidenez said:
Hi Sir, my case number is 2026AF00029xxx. Can I consider it to be current in this as today on 20th November 2025 ? Or I should wait for January 2026. In fact, someone told me that it is and another says it is not. If you could clarify I would appreciate very much. I am on F1 status meaning that I have to fill out the I485 when the number is current. So if it is the case, and I am not applying, while think to do it in January 2026 I may lose the opportunity.

Hope to hear from you soon.
Click to expand...
Your CN current month is January per the December VB. You may file for AOS now (before January 1st) if you wish to take advantage of what is known as “Early Filing”; or wait until January, your CN current month before filing for AOS. However before proceeding with either option, I recommend you go through the FAQ tab of the AOS process spreadsheet to help you have a good understanding of early filing.
 
fidenez said:
while think to do it in January 2026 I may lose the opportunity.
Click to expand...
Agree with mom you need to look at the spreadsheet for pros and cons (and all the other info) but wanted to highlight this quote. The fiscal year runs Oct-Sep. why on earth do you think you will “lose the opportunity” by filing essentially just a quarter into the year?
 
BraveEnough said:
I had lawyer to help me just for my peace of mind. BUT YOU DON'T NEED HIM.

My interview was today at Santa Ana California Office:

1.Pass the security
2.Go to the room, do the check-in by giving out the letter.they will take picture of you and fingerprint
3.Called for the interview:
1.Full name,
2date of birth
3 place where i was born,
4.who helped me to file the(Lawyer and me)
5.Title of my study
6. When i enter in the country
7.Date i enter in the country
8. where i live
9. visa i enter in the country
10. where i work and role and location
11.Some question from i-485(not all)
12. Sign in


Extra information:
I handled all the main documents such as passport, dv letter, birth certificate, and payment fee(330$)
The interviewer was very nice and polite
He asked me if he could keep the payment fee, and I told him that i don't have the copy. he was fine saying that they have the copy on the file.
He asked me if I have some question for him couple of times , but i said no as I have my lawyer who informed me about the process
He explained me the next step, and just wait until the process the paperwork to the main center, to wait for the green card within a couple of weeks.He also mentioned to keep an eye on the uscis account online( to be honest my account online is still on biometric taken, no update)


Thanks for the help. I will keep you posted when i get my documents

Thanks for people who created this forum, you all are such a wonderful persons. No words can describe how helpful this forum is.

If someone has some question, I am here to help

Until i don't get my physical green card in my hands , i don't declare victory though.
Click to expand...
Hi Congratulations! You mentioned that the main documents are passport, dv letter, birth certificate. What are the other documents you took with you? Thank you!
 
Jay21 said:
Hi Congratulations! You mentioned that the main documents are passport, dv letter, birth certificate. What are the other documents you took with you? Thank you!
Click to expand...
Thank you. still waiting for the final respond.

Bring the original documents and handle these documents to the officer:

1. Are you F1 student visa?

Driver License
Passport (new and old if you haven't travel out of the country),
SSN (IF you have it)
Birth certificate
Translation of Birth certificate
330$ fee that you pay in the beginning.(It is the paper with the stamp that you receive back when you pay your $330

I have with me the following original documents( you must have it), but handled if they ask for:
1. Original document of your change of status if you did it. If you did not, then your Passport will have your F1 stamp.
2. Documents of your previous status like B1 or J1. there are forms based on the status in the J1. B1 has stamp on passport

School:

1. All your original i-20s from the day you enroll into the school - digital copied signed with ink (These documents should also be sent into the package( COPIES OF I-20S) in the following order from the newest to the oldest I-20s)
2. Original copies of your Diplomas from all the schools you have graduated from
3. Translation of all your diplomas in english
4.Transcripts of all your schools
5.Proof of enrollment: Number id(Badge ), Enrollment of classes


I have carried with me some copies of some documents such as I-20s, school documents, and other files as I did not want the officer keeps the original documents with him/her. I would say, make a copy of the everything, just in case. I know it is painful.


Bring with you all the documents you sent into your application i-485. Make the officer job less painful for them, by giving all your i-20s in order from the newest to the oldest if they ask.

Let me know if you have any extra question.
 
Sm1smom said:
Your CN current month is January per the December VB. You may file for AOS now (before January 1st) if you wish to take advantage of what is known as “Early Filing”; or wait until January, your CN current month before filing for AOS. However before proceeding with either option, I recommend you go through the FAQ tab of the AOS process spreadsheet to help you have a good understanding of early filing.
Click to expand...
Thank you Sir, as I am thinking about to do Early filing, can I pay now the $330 Diversity lottery Fees and the $1440 for Adjustment of status ? If yes, how to do it ?
 
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fidenez said:
Thank you Sir, as I am thinking about to do Early filing, can I pay now the $330 Diversity lottery Fees and the $1440 for Adjustment of status ? If yes, how to do it ?
Click to expand...
Please read the spreadsheet linked in first post. It explains everything.
 
fidenez said:
Thank you Sir, as I am thinking about to do Early filing, can I pay now the $330 Diversity lottery Fees and the $1440 for Adjustment of status ? If yes, how to do it ?
Click to expand...
You’ve been told to read the AOS process spreadsheet more than once - have you done so?
 
lucky1557 said:
Hello mum. I'm from Russia and I have become a DV 2026 selectee but I live in the US for the past 2 years and 5 months by doing a PhD program as an F-1 student. And from what I know for now, I should be eligible to file AOS without leaving the US. That's the only option for me because my F-1 visa expired (but my I-20 is renewed and valid) and I can't leave the country because I would have to renew my F-1 visa in this case, which is risky because of tension between Russia and the US. I'm currently learning your guide but I have a couple of concerns that may be beyond normal situations. Thank you in advance.
When I was preparing for my F-1 interview (around 3 years ago) I had to sign a lease with apartments to prove that I will have a place to live in the US but my visa got delayed because of administrative processing. Of course I tried to terminate my lease because I could not pay for apartments that I did not even live in because I could not enter the US at that moment. So recently I found out that these apartments put a collection on me and I'm worried that it may impact my AOS processing. While looking for temporary housing options in Europe, like Firenze luxury apartments, I realized how stressful leases can be. The problem is even if I pay this collection, my credit score will probably drop beneath the floor, which may be even worse for AOS. I'm very disappointed because these apartments just took advantage of my situation and did not terminate my lease knowing that I would not be able to pay for US apartments before getting my F-1 visa. I also never heard back from this collection agency, which is strange.
I have always been legal in the US (I work as a teaching assistant in my university), and I have already filed 2 tax returns, I always pay my credit card in time and also published a scientific paper so obviously I'm not gonna be subject for a public charge. But this collection just threw me of table. Do you think my recent activity in the US will obscure the collection from years ago? Thank you so much. I discovered this forum a few days ago and I'm really impressed with your helpful advice to other people regarding AOS!
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Your old apartment collection should not prevent your AOS. USCIS focuses on current legal status, financial responsibility, and public charge factors, so your recent activity, maintaining status, paying taxes, and responsible financial behavior, will outweigh a past collection.
 
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